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At what point are you "fluent" in a language
- Thread starter Aqualung
- Start date
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
I think you're fluent in a language if you can think in that language and don't have to go through any sort of a translation process. My dad taught German at the University of Utah for 35 years. He edited German language textbooks. His pronunciation of German was impeccable (from what I understand), even though German was not his native tongue. I believe he would have considered himself fluent in German. But he told he once that he didn't consider himself "bi-lingual." He explained himself by saying that as long as there are times when you feel you could express yourself better in one language than another, you aren't truly "bi-lingual." Personally, I think he was just humble. 
Feathers in Hair
World's Tallest Hobbit
Since I'm very verbally-oriented, I would say it's when you start thinking in the other language.
It's interesting, since I've been thinking of taking a foreign language lately. I've been pondering over which one to take.
It's interesting, since I've been thinking of taking a foreign language lately. I've been pondering over which one to take.
SoyLeche
meh...
I would say that I felt I was "fluent" in Spanish when I could speak it without having to form the English words in my head, and then translate them into Spanish. Kind of a mix between what Katz said (not having to translate), and what Feathers said (thinking in the language). It's also sort of interesting when you realize that you just dreamed in a different language.
FFH
Veteran Member
You are fluent in a language when you can carry on a conversation without thinking about it too much. It "flows". It is a fluid conversation. The words flow normally. You don't have to know all the vocabulary, just enough to carry on a simple conversation.
It takes at least a year to do this unless you are super smart.
It takes at least a year to do this unless you are super smart.
FFH
Veteran Member
I have worked with many Russians and Hispanics in the restaurant/fast food business and had an Egyptian boss. It ususally took them a year before they could carry on a fluid conversation. It was really neat to see their progress during that year. After a year you would hardly recognize the fact that they had just arrived here in America such a short time before. They ususally learned their English watching TV and speaking with others. No text book learning at all.
One of my friends reckoned that you were only fluent in a language when you started dreaming in that language. It was his thought, that if a language sank that deeply into your mind, then you must be fluent in it. I disagreed though, since I remember not that long ago I had a dream with some Chinese in it which I was speaking and someone else too, and I understood. I remember what it was too, exactly, one of those dreams that manages to stick with you.
I think it's a combination of many mentioned factors. On the one hand, it's important that you can think in that language, and also you never have to put things in English first in your head before speaking the foreign language. In addition, knowledge of puns, colloquialisms, and plays on words would also be a factor in my mind. Stick them all together and you've got one bi-lingual SOB. hehe. I wish I could attach all these things together, but unfortunately my struggle continues.
I think it's a combination of many mentioned factors. On the one hand, it's important that you can think in that language, and also you never have to put things in English first in your head before speaking the foreign language. In addition, knowledge of puns, colloquialisms, and plays on words would also be a factor in my mind. Stick them all together and you've got one bi-lingual SOB. hehe. I wish I could attach all these things together, but unfortunately my struggle continues.
I'm going with the "you don't have to translate the words in your head" theory. When you are learning a language you are constantly thinking about verb forms, word order, vocabulary, etc. Eventually you just start speaking. That's when I believe you're fluent.
On the other hand, fluent could also mean that you can speak it like a native. You can be at the level above and still not be at a very high level.
On the other hand, fluent could also mean that you can speak it like a native. You can be at the level above and still not be at a very high level.
I was interested to see this thread, because it is a question I have often wondered about. Since i did my schooling (until the age of eleven) in French, I still cannot multiply in English. I have to translate the numbers into French to do my 'times' tables; always makes my wife and kids laugh. But that was how I learned the tables, and I am stuck with it.It isn't as easy as that though; I often think to be fluent, you need to be able to write letters in the foreing language, and be good with grammmar. (Or grandpa if she isn't arround)
Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
You are fluent when native speakers think you are one of them.
Terry______________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.
Terry______________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.