Is it me or does everyone find themselves accidentally spurting out words in a new language?
Some words are just better than their equivalents. Recently I find myself randomly saying Swedish words instead of English because I’m constantly trying to talk to myself in Swedish. In my head I might add, I’m not crazy.
I’m constantly saying “tack” (thanks in Swedish) at the till at the supermarket. I’ve had some pretty strange looks!
I might just keep doing it until one day someone replies with “varsågod” (you’re welcome in Swedish). I think it will be a long time coming though!
Have you got any words you find yourself preferring over the English?
Feel free to reply on here, or my learning blog found using this address:
thewelshmanlearnsswedish.wordpress.com
But isn't that how language develops? English wouldn't look and sound like it does now if the French didn't invade in 1066...
And with the world becoming more and more accessible I can only see this happening more in the future.
I live in an Italian speaking part of Switzerland and some Serbian people I meet here mix in really a lot of Italian words when they speak Serbian. It really irritates me. I understand it is easier to them to speak in that way because the words from another language come to their mind first but I think people should make a conscious effort to speak well, and that also means to avoid mixing different languages. If you want to speak a language properly, and I find it particularly important to speak your mother language properly, then you should not mix it with another language. It is OK if it sometimes happens to you accidentally, we all make mistakes. But many people don't even try and consciously say whatever word from whatever language comes to their mind first. I don't think it's cool. I'm not saying this is your case, just describing my experience with this.
I don't use foreign words in situations that it would be a problem, e.g. business environment. I am generally more careful and concentrated and my speech is not so impulsive.
My normal conversations usually include people who speak foreign languages and understand the different nuances of foreign words or why someone would choose to substitute one language for another. Therefore, it's not a problem if I accidentaly or purposedly use a foreign word.
