Can you think of a word or a thing that you know the name of in a second language, but don’t know in your native language? And I don’t mean grammatical constructs, past tenses and stuff like that. I mean nouns, names of objects, verbs, etc.
My examples (Czech native, English is my second language):
- Some tools, since I watch a lot of makers: auger, router, mill (as in a milling machine)
- A lot of math/physics/programming terms: algebraic constructs (groups and the whole hierarchy), sub-atomic particles and terms from quantum theory… So many original english terms in IT are generally used “as-is” that I don’t even know if some of them have a czech equivalent. I know some do, but I’d never use them in a conversation.
- Some exotic animals, but I can’t think of any right now…
I know I could easily find the translations. However, I don’t usually get into a context where such words would appear in other language than English. And it feels like I’ve mastered the language when there’s a thing I fully understand the meaning of, while only learning abou it in English without the need to translate.
English is technically my second language but also my most fluent so lots. Spanish is my native, but even then there’s a few words that don’t translate perfectly. For example, I would describe something as having a “mancha” (lit: spot, tarnish) if it leaves a sharp chemical aftertaste when you bite into it, typically caused by things like sap or latex. Eg: “la fruta del marañón tiene una mancha” (cashew fruit has an odd taste)
I’ve also lost some words to Spanglish
Ajoute le français comme la troisième et donc le problème s’intensifie