The Polyglot's Division

Since I both grew up multilingual and have learned additional languages as well, others have often asked me what language I think in. But as it were, this changes depending on the case.

To cover a few examples (in thought only, does not include conversation with others) --

English:

• frequently default
• primary language for speaking to myself, but not always
• expressing most concepts, ideas, principles, esp. philosophically, etc.
• my largest vocabulary is in English
• occasional counting, but not calculating

German:

• is not primary, but often takes over much personal thought - probably from being here
• though not default, used exclusively and heavily for phrases that are alien to the other languages

Chinese (Shanghainese):

• cooking - When thinking and planning as I cook, almost all ingredients, utensils and processes are in Shanghainese in my brain as long as I have the vocabulary, because virtually all of my cooking skills have been learned from my mother.
• (shopping for groceries)
• expressing thoughts that are easily understood by an Eastern mentality or perspective, but which are difficult or distorted for a Western one
• mathematics - Chinese numbers are very efficient. Due to a much higher focus on mathematics and faster calculation in East Asian education systems than in Western ones, the overall mental method that one is trained to use in Chinese education is also much more efficient. I was raised in America but coached on math homework by a Chinese family.
• Other personal thoughts generally not covered by English

Chinese (Mandarin):

• used infrequently or just for fun, because I can speak the dialect but did not grow up using it often

And in case you don't frequently read my blogs, I actively dream and sleep-talk in all of the above.