Do you think in English or does the brain think in a "language" at all? As someone who is basically monolingual, I'm curious about how people who are multi-lingual think? Do you tend to think in other languages or your native tongue?
I am monolingual, but only think in English if thinking about something in depth. If it's just a passing or simple thought, it's usually in terms of emotions and senses; Images, sounds, flavours, smells, textures.
Interesting question. I've always wondered this. I just speak English, so can't give any insight, but I've thought people must think in their native language, then translate?
I think in both English and Portuguese about 50/50. When I write notes I will write in both languages. I read the Portuguese newspaper, but magazines are mostly English like Time and National Geographic. TV is a mixture of the 2 languagues, like BBC, CNN and Portuguese channels. It's perfectly natural to me.
I think that the reason for being like this is that I spent half my life in English speaking countries and the other half in Portuguese speaking countries.
GIL
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"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated"
Same here (except when talking to people that only speak Spanish).
I grew up speaking Spanish, but, I quickly mastered (an overstatement) the English language. Perhaps this is the reason that I only think in English. :P
Maybe if I spoke Spanish with all my colleague and friends I'd speak in Spanish. A few friends of mine that grew up the same way I did do think in Spanish, however...
Depends on where i'm at and what language i'm in.
In the USA - English / verbal and thought process
In Austria - German / verbal and thought process as well - no wonder, i'm native there.
I know 4 languages and I think in some very different language that my brain understands. Means it is not a language but it is a mixture of many languages and basic stuff. Yes while speaking or reading those languages the mind does thinks in those languages but when wondering or thinking without any book or anyone to talk with it thinks with its own language.
Many years ago i spent 12 months living in Denmark, learning the lingo very quickly, but found after a months i was dreaming purely in danish!!! Even though my natural toungue is english!!