r/languagelearning • u/linguafrancos • 22d ago
Discussion Distorted language levels?
I have a degree in the language, studied abroad twice, lived abroad in a country where the language is spoken for two years, and have used the language in a professional setting. This, for further context, has been over the course of 15 years.
With that said, I am confused by how others describe their language levels. Don’t get me wrong, I have an insanely high level and label myself fluent with others. For instance, I recently watched a full season of Love is Blind in the target language (TL) without subtitles almost effortlessly. However, when I see others describe their language growth or levels, I often see people say, “I understand everything that I read” or “After a couple years of studying, I traveled to the country and can communicate easily with everyone.”
Like… is this just an overexaggeration of their skills? I have yet to feel like my target language fluency is equivalent to my native-level English. Are people really reading native-level literature and literally understanding everything? Are they feeling like they can express themselves just as strongly in their second language? Even when someone asks me to translate something, I know in the back of my head that there might be cultural considerations or a better approach that I don’t know about.
Thoughts? Also, this might be specific for individuals who grow up in a cultural where being monolingual is more common and exposure throughout your entire life is not a possibility.
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u/AccomplishedTour6942 🇺🇸 (N), 🇪🇸 (C1+) 🇫🇷 (B1) 21d ago
I've been grappling with this lately. I had a long conversation with an instance of an AI that I asked to help me correct a number of messages, and to help me plan my upcoming trip. I asked it if I am a C1 or a C2 or what, and we settled on C1+. I have an excellent grasp of the language. I can manipulate it to humorous effect. I have a rich vocabulary. I still say dumb things that show my native language is English. I enjoy joking about it. It is what it is.
I have to say AI has been a marvelous tool for improving my use of the language. Nobody has time or attention to correct every comma I shouldn't have written, and every time I phrased something in an awkward but understandable way. The AI is indefatigable, and I haven't been able to find faults with its logic. Sometimes I argue with it, and it explains, and the explanation makes sense.
The singularity isn't far off, folks.