This is definitely a bit of a stupid question… but methinks this happens to a good number of immigrants. Asking because there is a bit of a funny philosophical debate here:

  • Technically the second language is not “native” by virtue of you not growing up with it
  • But you speak it better than your native language, so skill-wise it is “native”

So do you have “native” language skills, or would you consider yourself simply highly “fluent” at the second language?

  • Electric
    5•1 day ago

    I just say my Spanish fluent. I can have a conversation, but it will have a lot of pauses as I try to remember a word. Certainly not usable at an academic level.

    I was graced by parents who don’t know their own language very well. Google Translate’s more reliable, so there is a lot of vocabulary I don’t know simply because it’s never been brought up in my family.

    I just consider English my main language. I feel bad for the immigrants who were raised not even knowing their language though. Met a few.