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20 sats \ 3 replies \ @optimism 20h \ parent \ on: What's the biggest sign that someone is truly wise? AskSN
In my own journey to getting married and a few years beyond (the first time, kinda broke my own principles hard on that one) I also read less often. However, because I was madly in love with a girl whose only common language with me was English despite us both speaking 4 languages (though covering 7 between a couple is awesome), mine didn't deteriorate much besides picking up on what we could call balkanized grammar, close to Runglish, which is probably still recognizable even when I write today.
I have much more problems with languages I didn't get to use in practice a lot for many years, like French. I can reasonably read it, have real trouble writing it unassisted, and found out recently what a silly dude I am when I try to speak back, because my friends that do speak French perfectly are also painfully honest to the maximum extent. Not even sure if I need to give that up; getting old.
though covering 7 between a couple is awesome
That's really amazing.
IMO, your English sounds good enough to compete against native speakers.
As you may know India is a land of many languages and I've tried many of them but in most of them I failed too. I think you're good in any language if you can transfer your thoughts correctly. You don't need to be extremely affluent in any of them.
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Thanks! And likewise!
Yes! Re: affluence. I understood that you doubt your vocabulary but honestly, it really can help non-native speakers if your vocabulary isn't as awesome as the average Oxford English major graduate.
Example: when I was working for an international company in Cairo my colleagues requested for me to do the talking rather than my British counterparts because they could actually understand what I was saying much more easily. It was similar when I worked in Milan and Paris but less explicit: it's often easier for non-native people to understand other non-native speakers than natives.
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it's often easier for non-native people to understand other non-native speakers than natives.
I 100% agree on this. I too have some similar experiences while working. My interactions with English natives used to be much shorter but with non-natives they were quite lengthier.
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