[venusss]

I don't know if this isn't more connected with me being basically bilingual... At this moment, I am quite unable to form thoughts in Czech... and it SOOOOO frustrates me. I need to write a position paper and... my thoughts come up in English... I have such hard time finding Czech equivalents, etc.

Some times I have no problems code-switching. I admit, I cannot do it smoothly... it takes me some time to adapt, but I can switch from one reality to other.
But other times... oh my. It takes a lot of strenght. I have these abstract thoughts (I often think in images) in my head and I cannot put them in words.

And apparently, I am more fluent in English than in my native language. I have been even told "your Czech is so good"... it is never a compliment to be praised for speaking your native language well. It means something is off and you sound foreign...


Do you ever feel linguistically challenged?

[Moose72]

Yes! I just plain can't form a word - I "lose" words all the time. It's pretty funny. Sometimes I can only think of words in French!

[Omers]

I am very linguistically challenged and have no excuse... I only speak english! I too tend to think in pictures which makes translating into any language difficult. I sat in on a philosophy of language class in college once. They were talking about the concept that if we do not have a word for something than it does not exist to us. I was SO confused! Until that point I thought everyone thought in pictures then translated it! As a kid I tried to learn all the words in the dictionary thinking that would help me translate the pictures...no luck... I just have a vocabulary that puts people off!
anyway... you are not alone

[BNLsMOM]

For me it is in the morning if I am still mostly asleep and someone asks me a question. I have the answer all formed in my head, but my lips are just going blah blah blah. I eventually get the words out, but it is pretty funny to hear it.

[kitty004567]

I loose words and thoughts all the time. I'll be talking about something and totally forget the entire idea I was trying to share. I mostly only speak English but I took 3 years of French in high school and have to teach in Spanish sometimes.

[PT52]

Originally Posted by kitty004567

I loose words and thoughts all the time. I'll be talking about something and totally forget the entire idea I was trying to share. I mostly only speak English but I took 3 years of French in high school and have to teach in Spanish sometimes.

I can totally relate to that..I've stuttered most of my life because I want a word, but it just won't show up. Then there are the times words just fall out of my mouth willy-nilly...but that's another thread...

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

I don't know if this isn't more connected with me being basically bilingual... At this moment, I am quite unable to form thoughts in Czech... and it SOOOOO frustrates me. I need to write a position paper and... my thoughts come up in English... I have such hard time finding Czech equivalents, etc.
Some times I have no problems code-switching. I admit, I cannot do it smoothly... it takes me some time to adapt, but I can switch from one reality to other.
But other times... oh my. It takes a lot of strenght. I have these abstract thoughts (I often think in images) in my head and I cannot put them in words.
Do you ever feel linguistically challenged?

Ohhhh yes. Concerning switching languages, I've done that soooo much (Years ago. I've not kept up, and you know what they say, "use it or lose it!") At one point, I had a pretty solid grasp of 4 (English, Russian, Spanish and French). But like you say... when in the midst of trying to express something, a word/phrase would pop into my head in another language, not the one I was trying to speak! (And then it would stick there, blocking the other language, like a song that gets stuck in the head). Very frustrating! One "reality" to another is a very good way to describe speaking in another language, Venus! It's not so much.... translate this... translate that, but to be "in" the language. They say when you dream in a language, it is a big step (I've done that, but only in Russian). I'm guessing you do that a lot in English.

I think visually too. Sometimes this is an advantage in another language, because you are "in the reality" of the language, you know? You are merely describing that reality with different sounds and constructs (which is of course all language really is! )

In my native language, it flips back and forth. Sometimes I can't say the right thing -- or come out with rhyming or same first letter words. Then suddenly will come up with something else with just the right phrasing and extensive vocabulary using even ununsual, but correct syntax (which has made many a person think I'm damn smart, lol! If they see the other... well, they must think, "what the ****?!" )

Interesting aside. While I was taking French (as an adult), the teacher would host potlucks from time to time. Bring food, beverages, interact in any language except English. It was then that the "can only think of this word in X language" was useful. There was usually someone there who knew what you were trying to say, lol!

[sugahorse1]

I sometimes battle. I grew up speaking German, and English became my second language. Over time, this changed. It now takes me a good while to switch back to German when I speak to my parents. But after an hour or so, as long as I make a concerted effort, I've got it down pat.
Some days I couldn't really be bothered, and my conversation is a colourful mix of German and English

[venusss]

I hate when people think I am showing off when I code mix.

(and I admit that whenever I drink, I will code switch in middle of sentense... without even realizing. I have friend with whom we go back and forth between Czech and English, with some random Russian phrases thrown into it (alcohol makes me think I can actually speak Russian), even playing with accents).

[wing]

How wonderful to be fluent in several languages, Venus! Whatever the problems you have expressing yourself, that is a gift. Could it be that sometimes you subconsciously choose the phrases that fit the idea best, regardless of the language? Some ideas and idioms don't translate well.Perhaps your facility with language has made you able to cross over to express yourself. Language is fascinating and I feel sure linguists have done research on these questions you ask.