10 Things Bilingual People Know As Told By The Office | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things Bilingual People Know As Told By The Office

No, I wasn't talking about you, I promise.

12
10 Things Bilingual People Know As Told By The Office
google

Bilingual; an adjective to describe those that can speak two languages with ease, comparative to that of a native speaker. There are so many different languages in the world and being bilingual is becoming so common with globalization, immigration and the internet. I grew up speaking two languages, one at home (Tamil) and one at school (English). Because of that, I quickly became proudly bilingual. Now that I have grown up, I keep learning new languages and hope to one day be multilingual. I know I'm not the only one that speaks more than one language and I'm definitely not the only one that understands what it's like being bilingual. So, here are ten things that bilingual people do and know, as told by 'The Office.'


1. Have secret conversations

Anytime you don't want people around you to know what is happening in your conversation, you speak a different language. Being bilingual is especially helpful when you see somebody attractive there is an instant switch in languages so you and your friends can make googly eyes (don't lie to me, everyone has done this). This also applies to eavesdropping on other conversations you can understand (yes, this an invasion of privacy but you just happened to hear what they were talking about. oops?)


2. "How do you say ________ in your language?"

As much as I love teaching others my native language, this can get pretty annoying. Especially when all anyone wants to learn are swear words. And please stop calling me ''exotic'', I'm not a fruit.


3. You constantly switch languages mid-sentence

This is such an issue because most of the time it's subconscious and absolutely an accident. By the time you're done with the story you were telling, everyone around you just looks confused. Not only do you speak two languages in the same sentence, sometimes you are thinking in two languages. Or even worse, speaking one language and thinking in another.


4. Having multiple keyboards on your phone.

This is the worst especially when you are talking to three different people at once, all in different languages. How am I supposed to switch between all these keyboards?! And don't get me started on autocorrect. I know what I'm saying, it might not be English, but it's right. Stop changing 'vannakkam' to 'vandalism' I'm just trying to say hi! I should just stop learning languages, maybe life would be easier.


5. You get to learn about a different culture

A language is an integral part of many cultures and learning a new one means you also get to learn about new cultures. How fun is that?!


6. Speaking an expressive language

People constantly ask you if you're okay or if you're mad. No, I wasn't fighting with anyone, we were just talking about food.


7. Getting yelled at in another language

If you grew up speaking a different language at home, you know that getting yelled at (or yelling at others) in your native tongue means it is serious.


8. Not everything translates correctly


I really want to tell you the joke, but honestly it's not funny in English. Giving advice? Don't directly translate expressions or proverbs, you'll just sound crazy. Subtitles do you no justice. Nope, none of that sounds right. That word just doesn't have the same meaning in English, you can't understand it unless you speak it.


9. Meeting people who speak the same language

It's so cool when you meet more people that speak the same language as you. Even if they aren't as fluent, are not native speakers or are just learning, you are just so proud and excited that they are learning. Being fluent like you or a native speaker just makes it even better. Instant connection with new friends that can understand you? Score.

10. Bragging rights


Let's be honest, being able to speak more than one language is cool, really freaking cool. Embrace it and chat away!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1335
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

805
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199972
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20730
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments