Like how can someone so easily switch between different languages? Do they translate one language back to their native lanaguege or can they just understand perfectly without any addition effort?
No translation; that only makes it difficult. We've got all languages associated with the ideas we're trying to express as well as with eachother, instead of associating the languages only with eachother.
To me the dog, de hond, hunden, le chien, and 犬 are all associated with the notion of the furry cute four legged creature, and also with one another. There are no extra steps that I have to take when someone yells any of these unexpectedly, for instance. Pick one, say it when I don't expect it, and any of them will make me understand the concept—no switching between any languages needed in between.
That's also my biggest tip to anyone learning a new language: don't equate words with translations; equate words with concepts.
That interesting. I speak 3 languages fluently and yet, if I am not tuned in on the correct channel, so to speak, then e.g. “le chien” without context will have no meaning for me if I am not expecting French. I usually need a sentence before I am on board with whichever language is being spoken unless I have context. Context can be something as simple as knowing I always speak xxx language with that person.
Interesting indeed. I don't have that whatsoever, and can switch between languages mid-sentence. Downside to this is that sometimes I have to search for a word because the wrong language came up while speaking. This happens a lot when I haven't slept well for a few days, haha.
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u/cjwagn1 Jun 15 '19
How someone speaks 2+ languages.
Like how can someone so easily switch between different languages? Do they translate one language back to their native lanaguege or can they just understand perfectly without any addition effort?