When do you know if you're fluent in a language?

Question

Hello.

English is my native language, however I've been learning Spanish for almost 4 years and am now on a high level in speaking, reading and writing.
However, I always wondered when you know if you are actually fluent in the language.
Recently, I went to Italy, and I was able to speak Spanish (since I can't speak Italian) and I was understood by the people easily. I can even read Portuguese to a decent level because of my Spanish.

All of the above makes me feel that maybe I am fluent but my main query here is that my teacher says that you have to be able to speak it as well as your native tongue in order to be deemed fluent.
Is this true?



Thanks...I just always wondered....

=]

Answer 1

You sound fluent to me. Do you think in Spanish, or do you translate from English to Spanish before you think?
If you think in Spanish without translation that is one test of fluency. If you are able to get along and cross over and understand the other romance languages that is another good test, which you have passed.

I am fluent in Japanese, but I'm not as good as a native.

I disagree with your teacher's assessment.

20 years in Japan
Maggie

Answer 2

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RE:
When do you know if you're fluent in a language?
Hello.

English is my native language, however I've been learning Spanish for almost 4 years and am now on a high level in speaking, reading and writing.
However, I always wondered when you know if you are actually fluent in the language.
Recently, I went to Italy, and I was able to speak...

Answer 3

I think it's when you can think in the language. Other people will tell you you are fluent. It's not a defined level one can say I'm now fluent, but when people think you are from the country of the language you speak, including those from that country, then you can be sure. When Mexican started asking me what part of Jalisco I was from that's when I was sure, but I keep telling people I'm California. Keep going with the Spanish. The more languages you know the more people you can talk to.

Answer 4

well...as a native english speaker, you would be considered fluent in the language. When you reach a pretty much complete and total understanding and can hold conversations in another language, you will be considered fluent. i find it very interesting that you spoke spanish in italy, even though the two languages are so similar, i am surprised they understood you! its just an amazing way of communication. you should definately take on other languages such as Italian and French because once you understand spanish at your apparent level, you can quickly and easily learn many other languages! this will come as a huge advantage, being that many jobs will pay you more for speaking other languages. well, it is true that you have to speak the language as well as your native tongue, but at your rate, how hard could it be to get there? good luck brushing up on your spanish skills! =]

Answer 5

talking about foreign languages, i don't think that anyone can be ALWAYS fluent in a language which is not his or her own.
many german people i met last year thought i was german (i'm italian) - that should mean i was fluent. but since i haven't spoken german that often for quite a while, surely i am not fluent anymore.
if you can talk, understand, think and dream in a language, then you are probably fluent... even though there will always be some words or sayings you do not know.

Answer 6

Ok, here's the real deal: You are fluent when, in conversation, you can pick out the stuff you don't know and follow up on it without hesitation. If someone is like "I saw this on the news, it's about and this is how a I feel about it....yada, yada........." And you reply instantly gaining clarity on what they said by having them express it in an easier manner I would then think it is safe to say you are fluent. This is a reality check.
On paper, if you want to put it on a resume for a job that needs it, I say being "conversationally" practical is all that is needed to be considered "fluent". Any terms or topics that relate to the specific job can be worked on as you go from that point. Good luck!

Answer 7

I knew when I became fluent in French. I started dreaming in french and I didn't have to translate it in my mind from English any more when I tried to communicate verbally.

Being able to understand a language doesn't mean you are fluent. It is being able to speak it with a reasonable level of correct grammar and pronunciation and it is taken seriously by native speakers.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Your teacher is wrong, and should know better than to make such a ridiculous statement. Anyone who wants to call him/herself fluent can, as the odds are extremely high that no matter what your definition of the word is not one person among the people you tell that you are fluent will have the same notion as you. The standard of native fluency is a far, far stricter standard than anyone in the entire world except perhaps people seeking to hire a translator with native fluency. In such case, such seekers would not use the meaningless word fluent in the job description anyway.

Answer 10

Creo que ya llegaste a un nivel donde se puede decir que el Espanol es tu segundo idioma! I was also learning Spanish and the moment I realised that I understand it almost to a 98% (excluding all the jargon) in any Spanish speaking country I gave myself an A in Spanish… English, on the other hand, is not my mother tong either, so the moment I realised that I don’t have to ponder to get a phrase or a sentence out of my brain I also recognized that is what being fluent is all about – you do not need time to think before you manage the express or accept the information!