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Bilingual People Explain Which Language They Primarily Think In

Bilingual People Explain Which Language They Primarily Think In

I'm fortunate to be bilingual. I speak English and Spanish and have spoken both languages since I was a child. (Thanks, mom!) Want to know something really funny? I think in a different language depending on the situation. When I'm around my relatives or in an environment surrounded by Spanish speakers––let's say the neighborhood of Washington Heights––I find I think predominantly in Spanish. Most other times I think in English. Makes sense, right? And things get really interesting depending on what I'm doing: If I'm reading a Spanish-language book or show or film, then my brain will switch to thinking in Spanish. And if there are subtitles, I think in a jumbled mix of English and Spanish!

After Redditor Golden_mango asked the online community, "Bilingual people, what language do you think in?" people shared their insights. Those of you who don't speak another language should take note.


"I'm actually an Indian..."

I'm actually an Indian, but I don't know why when I start thinking and overthinking I always think in the English language. Even the arguments in my mind are in English.

the_novel_lover

"Only weird thing is..."

I speak Mandarin at home and English in daily life. I think mostly in English, but there are times when I forget words and have to actively think about their translations. Only weird thing is, when I need to count, I count in Mandarin.

whatwasimeantodo

"If I'm thinking about my day to day life..."

It actually depends on what I'm thinking. If I'm thinking about my day to day life like what all I have to do or what I have to say, I do it in Hindi. But if I'm thinking of studies, games, daydreaming myself in TV shows etc., I do it in English.

Basically the language in which the thing I'm thinking about is, I think in that language.

pur__0_0

"I have been learning English since kindergarten..."

My first language is Arabic, English is my second, I have been learning English since kindergarten and I think in English most of the time, also the voice in my head is in English, it is probably because I have watched so much more content in English than Arabic, but sometimes I think in Arabic, depends a lot on the situation I'm in.

ahmednova75

"As a result of this..."

I am a Dutch person, not from the Netherlands but from Belgium, meaning that other languages such as English, French and Dutch get a bit more attention than in the Netherlands (no offense :P).

As a result of this I know both Dutch, English and French enough to think in any of those, however French is my least preferred. So I mostly think in Dutch since it's my native language, but I very often find myself thinking in English for no particular reason,this happens probably every day.

Erik_DoeRusting

"The truth is..."

I speak 4 languages fluently and I get this question asked a lot. The truth is that I don't think in any language. When I naturally think, I think through emotions and feelings. Once I start thinking about the thinking itself, that's when words come in (and they can be in any language).

kvde

"I can't remember..."

I think in English but count in Chinese. I can't remember phone numbers in English at all. If I have to tell someone a phone number in English, including my own, I have to write it down through thinking in Chinese and then read it out to them in English.

Also some Chinese words don't have English equivalents.

radical-compounds

"Oddly though..."

Russian is my first language, but now I think in English. Oddly though, I do math in my head in Russian. And I try to think in Russian when speaking with the in-laws so when I translate my thoughts to Spanish, it sounds more natural.

rubberdamclamp

"It's like a mix..."

It's like a mix, sometimes I'll catch myself swap languages. But mostly not in my native tongue (only Cos I have much more exposure to it in my everyday life - English). Sometimes dream in my native language sometimes in English. It's really weird haha.

spacecowboy1004

"My in-laws..."

Depends if I'm thinking of talking to a person. My in-laws are all native German speakers and if I'm thinking about a conversation with them, I think in German. Otherwise it's all English.

asourgrape

"I wrote my thesis..."

Both. I wrote my thesis in English, meaning I had to think and read and write in English for months. That changed my thinking. Mostly I think in Swedish though.

brendbil

"It can be rather interesting..."

Both. My mother language is Serbian/Croatian, but I've been learning English since I was four. I started thinking in English way later though, when I finally was confident enough to have conversations openly. Sometimes I dream in both too. I'd be the one speaking English and the other person would speak Serbian. It can be rather interesting, especially when mixing both languages in one sentence.

genjalno

"When I talked to her for a long time..."

I use my native language when talking to my family, I speak English to my partner and gaming buddies, German at work and Spanish when I'm talking to a single friend (we don't talk as often as before).

When I talked to her for a long time I'd start thinking in Spanish otherwise mainly English. When I'm angry or surprised it's usually in my native language and I count in my native language, too.

Equivalent-Durian

"I think in whatever language..."

German/English speaker here. I think in whatever language I'm reading or the language of the country I'm in. So in Germany it is German most of the time, except when reading/or watching a show in English. But in the U.S. I mostly think in English.

ForeverPapa

"Most of my verbal thinking..."

Most of my verbal thinking is conversations (real or potential), and those default to "whatever language I speak with the other person;" pretty much the only person I have mentally tied to both languages is my mom. The exception is the ones where I really want to curse someone out where I wind up basically running through grammatically-correct fury in every language I can swear in which is... more than I can speak.

Silamy

"It's also interesting that it seems..."

I'm switching, probably the one which is used more often in given time period. It's also interesting that it seems some thoughts are more easily emotionally processed when I think them in English than my native language.

wavelength303

"I speak three languages."

I speak three languages. Afrikaans, English and Zulu. First language is Afrikaans, but 2 years ago I moved to Canada so i speak English a lot more now and these days its just a big clusterf*** of all languages combined.

Suck-Me-Sideways123

"When I lived in France..."

When I lived in France and my French was at its most fluent, I could think in French. The more I used French (and less English) the more I thought in French. I had dreams in French at that time too, and once found my grammar in my dream was better than my actual grammar. WTF?!

kentffm

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The Most Unprofessional Thing A Doctor Has Ever Said To A Patient

Reddit user Monsah asked: 'What is the most unprofessional thing a doctor has said to you?'

surgeons looking down at patient

National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

"I shall do by my patients as I would be done by; shall obtain consultation whenever I or they desire; shall include them to the extent they wish in all important decisions; and shall minimize suffering whenever a cure cannot be obtained, understanding that a dignified death is an important goal in everyone's life."

~ English translation of the modern abridged Hippocratic Oath

It is the hope of those seeking medical help that the medical professionals providing it will be just that—professional.

But no profession is immune to bad days, bad attitudes or bad apples.

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Photo by Louis Galvez on Unsplash

When it comes to making a point, the stronger language you use, the better.

Sometimes, this is true of insults too. If you use strong language, the insult may hurt more. This language may include curse words. A lot of times, cursing while insulting someone is a surefire way to make sure the insult lands the way it was intended.

However, this is not always true.

Redditors know it's completely possible to deliver savage insults without using curse words, and are eager to share their favorites.

It all started when Redditor ILikeExistingLol asked:

"What's an absolutely devastating insult without any cuss words?"

Bad Breath

""First of all, brush your teeth...""

– iSniffMyPooper

"I literally just brushed my teeth because of this comment. I was gonna put it off for a little later, but I couldn't after reading that."

– ClumsyGhostObserver

"A coworker who never showers, washes his clothes, or brushes his teeth was trying to intimidate me once and I told him the scariest thing about him was his breath. He hasn’t spoken to me since."

– Floptopus

"“Well, at least you have more teeth than IQ points.”"

– Average_Aloe

"About the same in his case, really."

– Floptopus

Yikes! That Face!

""I never forget a face. But in your case, I'll be glad to make an exception.""

"– Groucho Marx"

– chumloadio

""You have the face for a career in radio.""

– badmother

""...and a voice for print.""

– Byanl

If Only We Never Met

"I miss the feeling of not knowing you."

– Swivel_D

"I think Shakespeare once said something along the lines of "I wish we were better strangers.""

– Non_Music_Prodigy

Crime Against Humanity

"Have you ever considered that perhaps your low self-esteem is just good common sense?"

– pantsoncrooked

"I'd say shots fired but damn that's a nuclear warhead."

– RBpositive

Winston Churchill

"“He’s a humble man with much to be humble about.”"

"-Winston Churchill"

– Triton289

"Another Winston favorite: “Madam, I may be drunk, but you are ugly. Tomorrow, I will be sober.”"

– hdroadking

"Some lady: “If you were my husband, I’d poison your drink.”"

"Churchill: “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”"

"May be slightly different wording."

– No-comment-at-all

"Lady Astor! She was an interesting person."

– Rare_Parsnip905

Wrong!

""I could agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.""

– shaidyn

""You're entitled to your opinion. It's wrong, but you're entitled to it.""

– a_in_hd

Tough Love

"A teacher called my son success-avoidant 3 years ago and he still thinks about that every day. But it did motivate him to get an A in that class, and all his other classes too!"

– OhSassafrass

"Damn, a harsh truth can be very motivating."

– InverstNoob

What I Like About You

"“Do you know what I like about you?”"

"When they say “what?”, you reply, “See? You can’t think of anything either.”"

– Axeman517

"These are always the most devastating ones, when you set them up to expect a compliment."

– TruCelt

"It's risky though. If they actually give an answer, like some cocky "that i'm hot?" or whatever, then you'll have to think fast."

– Ketcunt

""No, that's definitely not it. I'll keep thinking, I'm sure something will come to me.""

– OnionMiasma

Rumor Has It

""I had to see for myself, but people are absolutely right about you.""

"No cussing, no meanness, but they'll get paranoid about who's talking about them and their reputation."

– NinjatheClick

Intelligence Called Out

"Your grades say marry rich, but your face says study harder."

– rrashad21

"Please donate your brain to science, at least that way someone will actually use it."

– MembraneintheInzane

Oooh!

"You are impossible to underestimate."

"You never fail to meet my expectations."

– Zyhre

Hilarious

"You couldn't guess which way an elevator is going if you had three guesses."

– Edward_the_Dog

"I love this insult because you have a moment of silence afterward as the insultee pieces it together."

– -Envixity

I love that one; it's brilliant. I'm using this as soon as I get an opportunity!

office full of desks and workers

Alex Kotliarskyi on Unsplash

I once worked in a cubicle farm doing finance and accounting. A new employee disappeared just a few hours after the day started.

Eventually they were found.

On the floor.

Under their desk.

Sleeping.

They were promptly fired once they woke up. I wonder how their version of the story goes.

While that was a ridiculous way to be fired, for these folks, the employers were the ones with questionable judgment.

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Anyone who has gone on a few dates knows a few things that they like and don't like to see in a relationship, and they definitely know what some of their dealbreakers are.

But there are some dealbreakers that, when looked at from the outside, are totally petty in nature.

Redditor bigdawgcat asked:

"What is the pettiest reason why you wouldn't date somebody?"

Food Allergies

"I have a friend who stopped dating someone because he found out they were lactose intolerant."

"His example of why was, what if I taste a really great dessert, and I want to share the experience with her, and she can’t even taste it."

- Horknut1

"I know someone who is allergic to alliums (garlic, onions, etc.). I could never date this person as there is no meal I could make which doesn't include them in some amount."

- Fixes_Computers

"Same with peanut allergies. I love peanut butter too much to start a relationship with someone who couldn't be in the same room with it, not when there are plenty of other wonderful people who can. If the allergy suddenly developed long into the relationship, that would be a different case."

- cottagecheeseobesity

The Ups and Downs of Physical Fitness

"A college friend of mine was dating a girl who was amazing, smart, and funny, and she had put on a few extra pounds recently, which bothered him (don’t shoot the messenger)."

"We were driving at night down a big hill on a hot summer night and saw a young woman running up the hill toward us, really sweating, face purple, and looking pretty haggard, huffing and puffing."

"He made a comment like, 'Holy s**t, this girl is struggling.' We got closer and realized it was her."

"Long awkward pause. 'Well, I’m going to have to break up with her,' he said."

"Fast forward six months, and we ran into her at a pub, and she was in absolutely perfect shape."

"When he tried to make a move, she told him aloud, in front of a table full of her friends, 'That she wasn’t interested in him, and that he had dumped her for getting fat.' Top five funniest takedowns I’ve ever seen."

"Fast forward 10 years, he’s been divorced twice and has had a long list of s**tty relationships. The end."

- Much_Progress_4745

Conspiracy Theory Investment

"If they’re into conspiracy theories. I dated a guy who was and it consumed his life. It’s all he talked about."

"I couldn’t even watch a movie with him because he would talk through the whole thing about how it relates to certain conspiracy theories…"

"I also could never enjoy my food. We would make a big dinner on Friday nights to start the weekend, we both had a long day at work... we’d sit down to finally eat and he’d pull out his phone and put on conspiracy videos, and he’d make me watch them sooo loudly while I ate. And he’d talk through all of them too."

"I could never tell him that I wasn’t interested or I just wanted to eat because he’d get mad. It ruined my whole meal... I think most people like to eat in peace.. also he’d spend hundreds of items he needed in case we ever got attacked by 'skin walkers'... Never again."

- Low-Sky-4812

Eating Noises

"They slurp when they drink or smack when they eat."

- just-say-it-

"Soup should be seen and not heard."

- Playful-Profession-2

Same Names, Same Problems

"I will never date or f**k another Anthony ever again. I’ve dated or had a relationship with three different Anthonys at three different ages and they all turned out badly."

- SylphofBlood

"I had a friend years back that had three bad boyfriends, one after the other, each more of a D-bag than the last. Each one was named Rob."

"When talking to her one night, having a few beers, she complained that she always attracts d**kheads and then she asked what she should do. So having had a drink or six, I just blurted out, 'Maybe don't date anymore Robs.'"

"Anyway, the next guy she dated was Steve... they got married."

- vejbok

Love for Animals

"My cat said hello to her and she didn't say hi back."

- StephenHawkings_Legs

"I had a one-night stand kick my cat off of the bed. First, never ever have I kicked a cat. But I did kick that guy out of my house and my life. Instantly. GET THE F**K OUT. NOW."

- e11spark

"Not petty. If someone ignored my dog greeting them, I would be put off, too."

- A-Yandere-Succubus

Unexpected Sleeping Arrangements

"He slept in those tiny no-show socks. Let me be clear, he didn't wear them any other time than when he went to bed."

"There were some other, more real, red flags, but when I saw him whip them out and put them on the second time we slept together, I legitimately thought to myself: 'Actually, I don't think I can fix this one.'"

- Potential-Plastic-66

Matching Clothes

"He wore the same shirt on both of our dates.

Get this, years later, I get into the elevator at work and he's there. IN THE SAME SHIRT."

"I wanted so badly to demand to know if he has multiples or just one! Or find out which department he was in and stalk him. Unfortunately, I had given in my two weeks and didn't work in that building often."

- SunflowerSeed33

Different Interests

"If a woman has a horse in her dating profile, you will never be more important than that horse."

"(It may be petty, but it's backed up by personal experience)."

- No-Hat-689

"Horse girls do really love their horses, so I believe you. And I can't blame you."

- dumpster_cherries

"Worst of all, if you break up with the girl you won't be able to see the horse again! Imagine how heartbreaking that would be."

- one-eye-fox

Social Media Schemes

If they have emojis like their signs, or money signs, or airplanes, or some s**t like that in their bio. Just seems like some scammer or Ponzi scheme s**t."

- UrinePulp

Weakness?

"Wasn't me, but a female friend broke up with a guy because 'his allergies were a sign of weakness.'"

"Yeah, I responded the same way you did."

- Street-Comb1000

"My brother believes this about my allergies. He thinks I 'shoulda grown out of it by now.' Infuriating."

- I_Stan_Kyrgyzstan

Finals Week Troubles

​"Because her eye was twitching while we were talking to each other. I was a dumb freshman in college. This girl was super attractive and smart, and we got along great."

"For some unfathomable reason, this made me want to not talk to her again."

"Later it dawned on me that it was during finals and she was heavily caffeinated and that can be a side effect. She dodged a bullet because I was a complete dingleberry, lol (laughing out loud)."

- Atlas88-

Deal-breaking Voices

"I briefly dated a young woman who was insanely out of my league. People stared when we went out."

"Anyway, her voice was like Minnie Mouse, and I just couldn't take it. I still feel bad about that one."

- Pickleliver

Dental Preferences

​"Not me, but I had a friend who wouldn’t date this guy because he had one crooked tooth. He was the nicest guy truly a wonderful person. Like if I hadn’t been in a serious relationship I would’ve dated this guy."

"Fast forward, he meets a wonderful woman, and they get married, and my friend was all weird about it."

"I asked why and she said, 'Well, I thought he liked me enough to get his twisted tooth fixed.'"

"It was the silliest thing I’ve ever heard."

- Foxy_locksy1704

Preferred Facial Features

"I knew and almost dated a girl who talked out the side of her mouth. I’m not sure if that’s the best way to describe it, but that’s all I thought about when she spoke."

"Like, the front of her lips barely moved, and it was like a weird little smirk kinda thing when she spoke. I couldn’t get past it."

- newadventures96

"Weird ick: people with big/wide mouths. Why can I see all of your teeth and the back of your throat while you’re talking? You don’t need to open it that much just because you can."

- burritoboles

When one Redditor wanted to hear others' "petty" reasons for not wanting to date someone, their fellow Redditors really delivered. While some of these could simply be a matter of taste, like finding some facial features attractive where others do not, some of these, like allergies, are pretty, pretty petty.