• Wait, what words were used to say that?
  • Contramuffin@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    It works like a switch in your head. You consciously flip the switch to whatever language you want to use, but then afterwards you don’t really think about it. It can lead to situations where you forget to switch the language back to a common language before speaking to someone

    • seven_phone@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      I only speak German and have only ever communicated in any medium in that language so it is difficult for me to place myself in the situation of being unsure which language I had used to say something.

    • horse@feddit.org
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      4 months ago

      I’m fully bilingual (learned both languages at the same time) and that is not my experience at all. For me it is 100% subconscious. I just automatically speak the appropriate language for the situation I’m in without thinking about it.

      In fact if I try to consciously speak the “wrong” language for the situation I’m in it feels very weird and it takes a lot of effort to not mix up the pronunciation.

      Dreaming/inner thoughts work the same way. The language is always automatic based on context.

      • SeekPie@lemm.ee
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        4 months ago

        The inner thought part is also the case for me. For example, when browsing lemmy, my thoughts go to English and revert back only when I read/talk my normal language.