Rachel: 00:01

Hi, everyone. Welcome to our podcast, speaking in two worlds, where we discuss how languages influence our lives in unexpected ways. My name is Rachel. I'm here with my friends today, and we can't wait to discuss something that's very important to us, being multilingual and bilingual.

Naomi: 00:18

Hi. I'm Naomi, and I speak Russian.

Sylwia: 00:21

And and I speak Polish.

Rachel: 00:25

I also speak Russian. So we are all three familiar with what it's like to speak many languages. Okay. Let's start with the basics. What does it mean to be bilingual or multilingual?

Naomi: 00:36

I believe that being bilingual is being able to speak fluently in two languages no matter how strong one is. You don't need to be flawless in both areas. Alright, Nick.

Sylwia: 00:49

Speaking in more than two languages is just a sign of being multilingual. My family and I spoke Polish growing up, but I speak English almost everywhere else, including at work and school and other places too.

Rachel: 01:01

Me too. At home, I speak Russian, but at school and with my friends, I speak English. It depends on who I'm speaking to, and I occasionally feel like switching between two separate realities.

Naomi: 01:15

Yeah. That's right. The wording makes you seem like two separate persons. Since I exclusively speak Russian with my family at home, it feels more intimate to me.

Sylwia: 01:25

To me, Polish is like family, and I've spent a lot of time in an English speaking environment. Yet speaking Polish helps me stay connected to my roots.

Rachel: 01:35

Alright. Let's discuss what it's like to speak many languages. What are your experiences?

Naomi: 01:41

To be honest, there are moments when I feel like my brain is working nonstop. My brain is continuously flipping between languages, such as when I speak Russian to my parents and English to my friends. It is quite draining.

Sylwia: 01:56

I'll unintentionally switch to English after saying half of something in Polish when I'm with my family.

Rachel: 02:03

Yes. I'll text my close friends in English just after speaking with my mom on the phone in Russian. I simply follow my brain's commands.

Naomi: 02:12

When you give it some thought, it's pretty awesome. Our brains are simply able to filter the words we use. It feels like a secret superpower, and at times, even though it's so natural. I get your point. We seem to belong to a unique group that

Sylwia: 02:28

uses languages to travel through other worlds.

Rachel: 02:32

But it may be challenging, isn't it? For example, I occasionally skip a word in Russian and instead say it in English or vice versa. Do you guys ever experience that?

Naomi: 02:42

Yes. Some Russian terms just do not exist in English. It's so annoying when I have to use five additional phrases to describe anything because I can't find the correct term.

Sylwia: 02:54

Polish works kinda similarly. English versions of certain terms seem odd because they are so particular. It if it makes sense, it seems as though the language has its own style of thinking.

Rachel: 03:07

Okay. Let's discuss something a little bit more in-depth, the relationship between language and identity. Have you have you guys ever had the impression that your personality changes depending on the language that you're using?

Naomi: 03:19

Definitely. Speaking Russian makes me feel closer to my family and more emotional. My childhood memories seem to reside in Russian. It feels natural to talk Polish with my family. If that makes sense, it's home.

Naomi: 03:34

Polish is still my safe haven even in situations when everyone speaks English.

Rachel: 03:40

I totally understand. Speaking Russian is more than just, like, more than just speaking a language. I'm making connection with where I'm from, and there is nothing that can replace it.

Naomi: 03:52

However, it's not always simple. If someone notices your accent or hears you speaking a foreign language, they might, like, assume something. Has that ever made you feel judged? Yeah. Sometimes, especially in my youth.

Naomi: 04:06

I'm part

Sylwia: 04:07

of it now, though. It's like a com component of my identity.

Rachel: 04:12

Yeah. Me too. Speaking two languages used to make me feel really self conscious, but now I see it as a strength, something that I adore and that sets me apart. So what did we get what did we learn today? Learning words is only one aspect of speaking different languages.

Rachel: 04:30

It's about making connections, learning about different cultures, and discovering who you are.

Naomi: 04:35

You should definitely learn a new language if you've considered doing so. It's probably among the greatest methods to see the world from a whole different perspective.

Sylwia: 04:47

And it's incredible if you could speak more than one language already. Take pride in it. You belong to a community that adds so much interest to the world.

Rachel: 04:56

We really appreciate you joining us on speaking into worlds. We hope the conversation today was enjoyable, and remember to tell us how many languages you speak and to share the podcast. See you later.