Fluent bilingual people: Which language do you think in?

Answer 1

I'm Spanish, grew up speaking Spanish, and always write in Spanish. But my thinking is in English and when I dream I it's also in English.

Answer 2

It depends on where I am. I grew up learning both the languages I'm fluent in, so I can't say I prefer one over the other. If someone is speaking to me in English I think in English. If I'm with Spanish speaking friends I think in Spanish. It may also depend on if I'm watching TV or playing a game, it'll switch to that language. If there's absolutely nothing that can decide for me around then it bounces around completely randomly. I've been asked this by my friends before so I actually keep track of how I think. =P

Answer 3

I'm not fluent in my second language, but I find myself thinking in English primarily (native language) and Spanish about 10% of the time. And I don't even realize when certain Spanish words come out in conversation until someone looks at me funny. They'll just kinda tumble out of my mouth along with their English counterparts!

My dad and I were just discussing this the other day. Neat I'd find this question :-)

Answer 4

I am not fluent bilingual, but I do catch myself thinking and dreaming in both languages I speak! My native language is English, but I am learning to become fluent in Spanish and it is just natural to me to speak, think, and dream in both.

Answer 5

I am German but have lived in the US for 20 years. I do think in English; however, sometimes, when I get really upset, I go back to German. Plus, while visiting Germany, it seems I think more in that language, too.

I also am fluent in French. I noticed if I use that a lot (sometimes at work), I will also think in German.

Answer 6

When I was bilingual as a child, I thought in English, which was my first language.

Answer 7

My native language is German and I have lived in the US for many years. I have lived in each country about the same amount of time. I always think in English, because that is what I speak mainly. If I am in Germany I think in German. It depends which language I am using more frequently.
I always DREAM in English.

Answer 8

Spanish/English

Answer 9

I'm not so sure that thoughts always have to happen in one language or another. I usually think in whatever language I'm using at the time, but sometimes a word will come to me first in another language.

Answer 10

Well, I learned Spanish first and was forced to learn to speak English in school. I'm more familiar and educated with English and usually think in English when I speak Spanish with someone else. It just comes out Spanish when I talk.