For Non-Englishspeakers

[gustavofring]

Do you most of the time communicate in English on the internet?

Do you feel this is detrimental to your native language communication skills?

I do a bit. Sometimes I even THINK in English instead of my own language. I think I'm going to have to quit English websites for a while.

 

[Lea]

Yes I think I do a great deal of interneting in English. If I knew only my native language, I´d have a much more limited acces to informations. However, I don´t think it is detrimental to my own language skills, that´s a bs. I have seen ppl though who have lived in English speaking countries for most of their lives and when they were supposed to speak czech again, they were forgetting words and instead inserted english words. It seems to me a bit retarded, or I have the impression they do it on purpose because they think it makes them appear more classy or something. Some ppl think it is cool using many english or foreign words, but to me it looks terrible, as if they didn´t know how to translate it properly. So when I speak my language, I rather avoid using foreign words in it if I can use czech words instead. Not that there was something wrong with English, not at all, only it looks terrible when it´s used in improper place.

So I don´t think it is detrimental to my own language skills, but is true that when I don´t use some FOREIGN language for a long time and then come to the country, I have difficulties getting "into it" again. But it settles within several weeks because I have to use it. But no matter how long I am away from home, I never forget my native language.

 

[gustavofring]

Forgetting is a strong word.

I mean like detrimental to daily interactions. Makes me less likely to speak flowingly and comfortable in in my own language. Of course you don't just forget a language.

The internet is already pretty bad for social anxiety, let alone speaking in a different language for a lot of the time. I feel it really estranges me more.

 

[gustavofring]

It seems to me a bit retarded, or I have the impression they do it on purpose because they think it makes them appear more classy or something.

That's a bit judgemental and rude. I have it too sometimes that I'm thinking of an English word that doesn't have a proper Dutch variant and then insert the English word. Or that I accidentally put in the English word. Has nothing to do with appearing classy or being retarded, more with a confused brain that switches back and forth between languages.

 

[Lea]

That's a bit judgemental and rude. I have it too sometimes that I'm thinking of an English word that doesn't have a proper Dutch variant and then insert the English word. Or that I accidentally put in the English word. Has nothing to do with appearing classy or being retarded, more with a confused brain that switches back and forth between languages.

When there is no Dutch variant, of course. But I don´t mean that, I mean when there is but people still prefer to use a foreign word.

I just said how it appears to me, when I say retarded I don´t mean it literally. Rather it seems to me the people want to appear classy, but it´s also the overall personality of some people, usually it´s those with a bit of aristocratic streak.

 

[Lea]

Forgetting is a strong word.

I mean like detrimental to daily interactions. Makes me less likely to speak flowingly and comfortable in in my own language. Of course you don't just forget a language.

The internet is already pretty bad for social anxiety, let alone speaking in a different language for a lot of the time. I feel it really estranges me more.

I don´t know, maybe it´s not that´s why? Do you have the same difficulty speaking to your parents/family?

I think I have the problem instead, that I never learn english or any other foreign language properly, like it was my own. But I don´t think I mind much, as long as I can make myself understood. I know I maybe appear retarded or like an idiot but I am so used to it and let ppl think what they want.

Still strangely I feel as ppl abroad sometimes didn´t realize english is not my natural language and expect you understand everything and react to everything fluently like everyone else. They also sometimes have little tolerance to a different accent because they say they can´t understand it (esp. the old people). Or it happens that you or them misunderstand something because of the cultural difference, they don´t realize it and get angry. Maybe it´s because in countries like England are so used to foreigners. But when in my country there is a foreigner speaking only a few words czech, we don´t take it for granted and appreciate every, even bad attempt.