So I was thinking about the topic of languages again and I started wondering again…

So I learned Cantonese as a kid, then learned Mandarin and the Chinese Writing system when I started school, in China. Then immigrated to the US, started learning English when I was still under age 10, which is according to wikipedia, still within the “critical period” of learning a language

There is much debate over the timing of the critical period with respect to second-language acquisition (SLA), with estimates ranging between 2 and 13 years of age.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_period_hypothesis

So then, I um… kinda forgot how to speak Mandarin, and most of Chinese written characters. Still kinda speak Cantonese because its for home. But barely know any words, so I can’t even express complex ideas like philosophy, science, politics. I never really spoke to anyone in Mandadin, and for Cantonese, its only at home.

But I never actually learned Cantonese or Mandarin beyond the basics. And for Mandarin the proficiency is even worse than Cantonese, I’ll have to think the words in Cantonese then convert it to Mandarin (its mostly the same written characters, but different pronunciation).

My English is so proficient, its really the only language I can effectively communicate in. And my classmates have told me they don’t notice any “accents” when I talk.

So which is my Native Language? “First” Language?

I mean… it’s kinda weird to call a language “native” if I could barely speak it.

  • nimpnin@sopuli.xyz
    3·
    12 hours ago

    Do you still have native-level pronunciation and grammar skills in Cantonese? Forgetting words is one thing, that happens, and words can be relearned. I’ve lived abroad for 5 years now in my 20s, and even I’ve lost some vocabulary in my native language.

    If you no longer know the grammar or the pronunciation well, then it’s a more legitimate question if it is your native language anymore.

    Either way, you are some sort of bilingual. In fact, some people grow up like that where I come from: with two native languages, one of which is oftentimes stronger / more eloquent due to education, social life, etc.