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Are there words that you know in the second language, that you don't know in your native language? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/languagelearning@sopuli.xyz
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Can you think of a word or a thing that you know the name of in a second language, but don't know in your native language? And I don't mean grammatical constructs, past tenses and stuff like that. I mean nouns, names of objects, verbs, etc.

My examples (Czech native, English is my second language):

  • Some tools, since I watch a lot of makers: auger, router, mill (as in a milling machine)
  • A lot of math/physics/programming terms: algebraic constructs (groups and the whole hierarchy), sub-atomic particles and terms from quantum theory... So many original english terms in IT are generally used "as-is" that I don't even know if some of them have a czech equivalent. I know some do, but I'd never use them in a conversation.
  • Some exotic animals, but I can't think of any right now...

I know I could easily find the translations. However, I don't usually get into a context where such words would appear in other language than English. And it feels like I've mastered the language when there's a thing I fully understand the meaning of, while only learning abou it in English without the need to translate.

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[–] 7 points 3 months ago (1 child)

Native English speaker, second language Norwegian. Going back to visit friends and family is a mindfuck. I get brainfarts mid conversation where I only come up with the Norwegian word and not English. I have to pause mid conversation and look like a dumbass grasping for words.

Hobbies I learned here in Norway for sure. Also words referring specifically to grammar I mostly only know in Norwegian. Was never taught grammar in school growing up in my native tongue which would have otherwise helped a whole lot learning a new language. European birds I mostly only know the names of in Norwegian.

I feel like I have enough room for one and a half languages haha. Swedish and Danish are also competing for space. With how often I visit Sweden I have started to confuse the genders of nouns in Norwegian even more than I usually do.

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  • [–] 3 points 3 months ago

    ESL and learning Norwegian, and the impression I get is that the two languages are at the same time close and far enough that I could easily mix the two if I had to switch them on the go.

    Reminds me of Portuguese and Spanish, which I have to make a physical effort to switch between the two, and still according to a friend, I sound Valencian when trying to speak Spanish. "<.<

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