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Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?

2
votes

For the last week I have been mixing my spanish into my english (native) on accident while I am speaking. I have also been using my english backwards. For example: Where is the can opener? and I have said Where is the opener can? I can not tell you how many times I have done this lately.

So my question...

Is this normal when learning a new language? Should I be thinking in spanish while I am speaking in english or visa versa? Any suggestions will help. Gracias!

2056 views
updated Jun 6, 2013
posted by chellapadua

5 Answers

3
votes

I agree with Anormal that this is normal (no pun intended). In your case this tells me that you are acquiring and retaining the Spanish you are studying, so I would not worry about it. And you should always think in the language you speak. This will help you avoid mentally translating and creating strange sentence structures.

I have a similar happening of Russian, with which I have been struggling with for 12 years now, occasionally "infecting" my Spanish and English.

Such are languages I suppose.

updated Jun 6, 2013
edited by 005faa61
posted by 005faa61
:) good to know that I am not the only one! - chellapadua, Jun 6, 2013
Yes, its normal. Then you mix up the persons you're speaking with and adress them in the wrong language.. - annierats, Jun 6, 2013
2
votes

Nothing to worry about,this usually happens to multilingual people .

updated Jun 6, 2013
posted by osas-baby
thanks for the reassurance:) - chellapadua, Jun 6, 2013
Así es. - annierats, Jun 6, 2013
2
votes

It is normal.

I sometimes put in a word or two from another language by accident too.

Your brain is simply looking for a word but looks in the "wrong" dictionary.

updated Jun 6, 2013
edited by ian-hill
posted by ian-hill
too bad I did not have a button to switch on and off each word bank :) - chellapadua, Jun 6, 2013
2
votes

I think it is normal it happened to me.
And still happen sometimes when I'm writing English if someone came and talk to me I accidentaly start answering in English most of times just a word or half word but it happen.
And wait till when you start dreaming in Spanish that will be funny.

updated Jun 6, 2013
edited by Anormal
posted by Anormal
I am dreaming in spanish too. funny you mentioned it. - chellapadua, Jun 6, 2013
1
vote

I've learned several languages in my life. Especially in the beginning, it's normal to mix things. Sometimes I still have unusual words pop-up that I don't even realize I said until the person looks at me with a confused stare. I've thrown in African language words in my Spanish sentences unaware. I guess my brain just clicks into "foreign language mode" and doesn't always access the right file. ha.

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updated Jun 6, 2013
posted by katydew
thanks katydew! I have seen a few of these looks lately:) Now I know I am not a total screwball:) - chellapadua, Jun 6, 2013