Archived People who speak more than one language, what is the language you use for your internal thoughts? (AskVoat)
submitted ago by cstoli
Posted by: cstoli
Posting time: 5.3 years ago on
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Archived on: 2/12/2017 1:51:00 AM
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Archived People who speak more than one language, what is the language you use for your internal thoughts? (AskVoat)
submitted ago by cstoli
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[–] Diavolo1988 0 points 11 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.
[–] cstoli [S] 0 points 7 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?
[–] Kithsander 0 points 6 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.
[–] Diavolo1988 0 points 3 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.
[–] 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.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
[–] PandaBurger 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
Same for me. Whatever I'm speaking, or spoke last, is the language I think in.
[–] dtuck 0 points 4 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
[–] ZiMMy 0 points 3 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.
[–] stublemouse 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I used to work with a couple of simultaneous translators - I'd speak quietly to them and they'd simultaneously translate to the audience's language. They covered all the western European languages, at least. They were good friends. They said to me that they'd noticed that when they were just chatting they'd tend to speak French; when they were trying to be precise or describe something they'd mostly use English; when they were being romantic or talking about boyfriends they'd slip into Italian, but when they argued it was always in German...
[–] cstoli [S] ago
Very cool. I wonder why English has been mentioned so much in this thread as the language often used to describe something or be technical...I would have figured that to be German for some reason.
[–] vujalikewoah 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I'm Croatian and speak mostly English since I live in the states. I do tend to think in English most of the time except when I'm super pissed and want to actually curse like a demon. English cursing is no match for Eastern European cursing.
[–] cstoli [S] ago
I need to learn some Eastern European languages then. :)
My grama used to curse like a trucker in Lithuanian, but she says she forgot most of it now (she's 96).
[–] vujalikewoah 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
There is a phrase in Serbo-Croatian for fucking someone's blood and for fucking Jesus' bones until they turn to soup. Be jealous.
[–] putoelquelolea 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish, and when the fish is caught the trap is forgotten. The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits, and when the rabbits are caught the snare is forgotten. The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to. Chuang-tzu, circa 369-286 BC
[–] tagarouco 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Mostly in my native language (portuguese). I think in english or german when I am having a conversation in those languages, or reading/writing in them. I cant have two different languages in my mind at the same time. Even if is just the TV at the background, I tend to switch to the same language as it.
People who can do live translation baffles me. The quick switching back and forth between languages is impossible to me.