If you have spent most of your life in a foreign country and as a result have become fluent in that language and only ever use that language day to day.....do you still think in your native language?!?!
2007-03-31 04:48:41 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I was born in the Czech republic, moved to Germany when I was 16 (family had to leave), went to US when I was 19, retunred to Europe (Romania) when I was 65.
Since I spent most of my life in US, I generally think in English. However, interestingly, when I visit Praha and speak Czech, I think in Czech. When I speak in German, I think in German - in other words, I do not - in my mind - translate from English to another language.
2007-03-31 05:00:57 · answer #1 · answered by pajicek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you would think in the language what makes most sense to yourself. if you live the majority of your life in a foreign country since you was very little you probably think of it as your only language.
2007-03-31 04:53:25 · answer #2 · answered by klbblk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband is from Nicaragua originally and moved to the U.S. as a young adult (20 years old). He still thinks in Spanish, but not all the time. He kind of thinks in both Spanish and English or Spanglish.
2007-03-31 05:28:13 · answer #3 · answered by carinyosa99 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think in my native language much unless I am with my countrymen. But, strangely enough, I use my own language to do mental arithmetic. curious isn't it?
2007-03-31 04:58:25 · answer #4 · answered by MoiMoii 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally switch languages from thought to thought. I guess you use the language your are going to apply that thought for.
2007-03-31 04:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by naperston 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Ernie. I also switch from one language to the other, depending on what I am doing.
2007-03-31 05:19:58 · answer #6 · answered by Martha P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I'm sure you will still be able to talk in your native language, it might be a little uncomfortable and you might lose your confidence but I think the brain must store it somewhere.
2007-03-31 04:54:41 · answer #7 · answered by Pearl 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think in both English and Dutch and I have been in the States for ten years.
2007-03-31 05:11:36 · answer #8 · answered by scandalicious297 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mum has been in Sweden for nearly 23 years and she says she thinks in both Swedish and English.
2007-03-31 04:54:19 · answer #9 · answered by Lovisa 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not really, it depends of the situations...sometimes i think in english, sometimes in french and my native language is romanian...
2007-03-31 04:57:03 · answer #10 · answered by Sir Alex 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋