Thinking language if you're bi-lingual?

Question

If you are equally as good in both languages you know since being brought up from childhood, do you always think in one language, or both? I suppose I mean if you have two native languages, if that makes sense.
Does anyone have this experience or know anyone who does?

Thank you

Answer 1

Your thought process and dreaming will be in the dominant language because that's how the brain reacts. Only when you hear the "second language" will your thought process begin and automatically stops when your return to the "dominant language". To try this out be speaking to someone in your dominant language and then have someone walk into the conversation and begin conversing in your second language. Pay attention to what happened and it's a different high. I speak 3 languages and have paid attention to my thought processes and dreams to find out what I just mentioned above.

Answer 2

Since English is my native language so for that reason I tend to spend most of my time thinking in this language. However, since I learned Spanish and Portuguese in school these two will occasionally enter my thought process. For example if I watch a television program in Portuguese, even after I've finished watching it I might still be using Portuguese to think. It's pretty weird. The same thing goes for Spanish too.

Answer 3

I actually think in 3 two are my native languages and the 3rd is English that is my language since I was 5

Answer 4

French is my native language but I have lived in an entirely english-speaking world for over 15 years now. At first, I was still thinking in French but anymore, I think in the language that's most relevant for the context. I tend to think in english in my everyday life, but if I think of my family, or something related to Québec (where I grew up), it will be in French. Same if I'm here but speaking French with another french speaker. I have also noticed that I don't necessarily think in a "language" sometimes, but more in terms of concepts of images. I'm learning Spanish and sometimes I'll try to translate my thoughts in Spanish to practice. I find it works better if I start with French though.

Answer 5

Well I grew up with several languages being my speech guides. But I was pushed to learning English more, yes I did learn the other languages, but naturally I find myself thinking in English most of the time, but when I am at peace and relaxed, I can hear my thoughts in a sorts of various and mix of all the languages.

Answer 6

Oh, I think about this all the time. Well, I think in English more than I do in Spanish. Sometimes I find myself thinking to myself in Spanish, when I'm Puerto Rico I mean for a while. And I'm trying to learn Japanese, sometimes I think in that language, too, but I barely know that lol

Answer 7

You can think in both languages in certain situation, especially when u come across vocab that's not in english. U will most certainly think in ur second language. I know for a fact cuz i speak french,spanish,and english. Hope i answered ur question

Answer 8

I speak four languages and I always think in the language I'm using at the moment because it gives me a bigger sense and perspective on what I'm going to say. But, I bet that most of us, when not in a conversation, think in our mother tongue, it's something that comes automatically.

Answer 9

yes i learned both english and german from a very early age and can speak them both fluently and your question is actually very interesting. it has to do with the language your speaking if you talk in english you will also think in english same goes for german., i have noticed that i often dream in both languages or even a mixture.... kinda scary actually :)

Answer 10

This doesn't apply to me, but my parents sometimes think in their native language.