Anyone else feel more social in a second language than their first?

[kurd]

I’ve noticed something strange about myself: when I speak English (which isn’t my first language), I feel way more confident, social, and able to explain things clearly. But when I speak Dutch (my native language), I get anxious, stumble over my words, and struggle to express myself.

Has anyone else experienced this feeling more “yourself” or even more outgoing in a second language than in your mother tongue? Why does this happen?

 

[kurd]

@Jason Voorhees @Node @Bryce

 

[Node]

cannot relate

 

[heightmax]

I’ve noticed something strange about myself: when I speak English (which isn’t my first language), I feel way more confident, social, and able to explain things clearly. But when I speak Dutch (my native language), I get anxious, stumble over my words, and struggle to express myself.

Has anyone else experienced this feeling more “yourself” or even more outgoing in a second language than in your mother tongue? Why does this happen?

yeah i do sometimes
like i sometimes think i could be speaking “better” and explaining myself better in english

 

[kurd]

yeah i do sometimes
like i sometimes think i could be speaking “better” and explaining myself better in english

ongod relatable

 

[Prøphet]

This is weird I actually agree

I can’t speak the language a lot of my family speaks for shit, I just know a couple words and phrases, but I feel 100x less nd trying to communicate with people who only speak that language and not English