When do you think you can you really say that you are "fluent" in another language?
2007-07-10 04:42:52 · 10 answers · asked by Christopher P 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
When people can't tell that you are a foreigner.
Perhaps that's a bit extreme, as some people can never shake off their accent. So I'll revise that to: when you speak the language so well that speakers of that language who can also speak your language never attempt to speak to you in your mother tongue.
2007-07-10 04:49:14 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Personally , I think it's when you can hold an abstract conversation e.g. about politics or philosophy in that language. A multilingual friend of mine once said that if you start dreaming in a foreign language then you know you're fluent in that language.
2007-07-10 07:01:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can hold a conversation on 'everyday' topics such as going to the bank and opening an account. I am always impressed with a non-English speaker has a good knowledge of English idioms and expressions. I was talking to two German lads about football, and they knew a lot of English idioms for the 'language of football.' I wonder if an English speaker woul be able to do the same in French, German, Spanish, Italian and so on?
2007-07-10 08:16:52 · answer #3 · answered by The Global Geezer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you can express yourself clearly, and people of that language can understand you well and not give you the evil eye. Also like others stated you have to think in the language like you do in english. You dont memorize what your about to do or say.
2007-07-10 05:42:25 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Marmalaid 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was doing 'A' level my French teacher (a spinster) said that you know that you are thinking in French and reasonably fluent, when you're in France and asleep. Someone knocks on the door and you answer in French,
Have I got news for her. I went through labour in Switzerland and spoke French throughout. Some of it wasn't even very 'nice' French! Beat that!
For the sake of truth, most of what I said wasn't very nice French. But it was correct!.
2007-07-10 05:07:58 · answer #5 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When you can think in the foreign language.
2007-07-10 04:50:28 · answer #6 · answered by the_hilton 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being able to do business in that language! Sorts the men from the boys as it were...
2007-07-10 04:47:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you can carry out a conversation in that language with a native of that language.
2007-07-10 04:50:39 · answer #8 · answered by justaboutpeace 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
When you 'think' in that language.
2007-07-10 04:47:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
be able to hold a good long conversation, arrange a meeting, order a cold beer and a burger :P
sorted for life!
oh yeah, and also be able to ask where the nearest whore house is.
2007-07-10 04:49:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋