5/18/2007 - Is my blog getting to me...?

About half an hour after I woke up today, I suddenly realised that I had been thinking entirely in English for that half hour. In fact what I remember of what I dreamt about during the night, I have dreamt in English. I'm shocked. This never happened before. How can this happen? I must say that most of the movies I watch are American, and I've been watching Comedy Central a lot lately, but other than that, my only English language activities are blogging, posting comments, and writing the odd social email. I haven't made a phone call in English for months. I normally only think in English when I'm logged on to JournalHome, and I can think in German and French as well, if I have to, but only when I choose to. Even though I'm not very social, the language I use by far the most is my native tongue, Dutch. Weird stuff.

5/18/2007 - WOW!

Being American, I know a few people who can speak Spanish but that's it. I can't imagine thinking in two languages yet alone several. Your written English is much better than the average American's.

5/18/2007 - And you wouldn't happen to know any immigrants?

Research has shown that as many as one fifth of all US citizens today (well, 2003 I believe) speak a language other than English as their native tongue. And in the vast majority of these cases this language isn't Spanish.

Also, thank you for your compliment about my English. One thing I noticed last year, as I spent two weeks in Canada, is that I can speak with a perfect North American accent, until people say they're astonished that I'm actually a foreigner and that my English is so good.

Whenever that happens, my Dutch accent always catches up with me. Fortunately that doesn't mean my vocabulary and grammer backfire on me, so it's not a disaster.

About thinking in several languages, this is an essential skill if you wish to be partial in any foreign language conversation. If you have to translate everything in your head, you're bound to lose track of what the people around you are discussing. Thankfully, if you know a language well enough, this is an automatic process.

Edited by dutchboy on 5/19/2007 at 10:14 AM

5/19/2007 - G'DAY THERE!

How are you? Your written English is very good. If you were watching a movie or sit com in English before you went to bed it may well be your sub conscience coming to the fore. They say if something is on your mind during the day or evening you will more than likely dream about it. That's one answer but I bet there are many other oppinions that will agree or differ and offer up other scenarios. But no matter very interesting, I must ask my hubby if he dreams what language does he dream in. Take care and stay safe. Love and ((((HUGS)))) from Dawnie. x