0
11

[–] Diavolo1988 0 points 11 points (+11|-0) ago 

I think mostly in my mother tongue (norwegian), some times in english, and rarely in german and italian. But I do think in all those languages from time to time.

0
7

[–] cstoli [S] 0 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago 

Does it feel differently in any way? Do you tend to think emotionally in one and do more technical thought in another?

0
6

[–] Kithsander 0 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago 

I wish I could give you a source, but there was an article posted online awhile ago about a study that found when people are using a non-native language, they think a lot more about the terms that they're using to define their thoughts. It's not just a "what's the word for this thing in this language" but a lot more reflection on the thing itself.

0
3

[–] Diavolo1988 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

not really. a language is just a tool for expressing oneself. whether it's expression to oneself, or to other doesn't matter. (in my experience)

I guess some of the languages are better at expressing certain things than others. I feel like Norwegian is better on feelings, and English is better on academic thoughts. I've always felt that German is good for dirty talk (sexual), but that might be just as much the German people giving me that impression than the language itself. Italian has lots of slang, and is pretty good on romance.

0
0

[–] Blue_Nose ago 

For me it's not so much about mood as it is sometimes the other language has a more fitting word. English is my native language, but sometimes German expresses what I'm thinking better.

0
4

[–] dtuck 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago  (edited ago)

Mostly Norwegian, but I do switch to English as I spoke it before I learned Norwegian. I got parents from England and Norway.

When I get mad my inner monologue switches to English, sometimes during technical thought processes, numbers etc. I like reading instructions and manuals in English, as well as books. Though, there are many beautiful things written in Norwegian , and there are words that are difficult to translate to English, I find English a more descriptive language than Norwegian

[–] [deleted] 0 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago 

[Deleted]

0
4

[–] PandaBurger 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

Same for me. Whatever I'm speaking, or spoke last, is the language I think in.

0
3

[–] ZiMMy 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago  (edited ago)

When I use English I also think in English. Otherwise I always think in the native language.

2
1

[–] bugmenot 2 points 1 point (+3|-2) ago 

From the other comments, and my own experience, it seems that most people tend to think in the language they use most on a daily basis. That is, if they are fluent enough in those other languages. The same goes for dreams.

0
2

[–] Feeling_my_goats 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Depends on the situation.

When I'm alone I think in my mother tongue, unless I am thinking about something that is culturally tied to a second language.

When out with friends speaking my native tongue, I think in my native tongue.

When out with a group of people speaking in a secondary language I know, I think in that language. Who has the time and energy to translate everything?

0
2

[–] Eunideen 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

My mother immigrated to the US from Ecuador and my dad has always been here. Growing up my mom spoke to my brother and I in spanish and my dad would speak to us in english so that we would learn both languages. I am fully fluent in both (I don't translate in my head, I just say it natrually) but my thoughts are mostly english with a fair amount of spanish words that can't be translated thrown in. It's a mix.

0
2

[–] sugoiuguu 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Depends on what I'm doing. Right now, since I'm browsing the internet, I'm thinking mostly in english; but when interacting with friends, I use my native language. One pattern I've noticed though, is that I mostly think in english when I'm trying to be logical.

load more comments ▼ (21 remaining)