This is definitely a bit of a stupid question… but methinks this happens to a good number of immigrants. Asking because there is a bit of a funny philosophical debate here:
- Technically the second language is not “native” by virtue of you not growing up with it
- But you speak it better than your native language, so skill-wise it is “native”
So do you have “native” language skills, or would you consider yourself simply highly “fluent” at the second language?
My first language is Cantonese, spoken by parent at home.
My second language is Mandarin. Only spoken in school when I was in China, which lasted till I was like grade 1-2.
My third language is English (USA English, that is). Started learning around grade 2-3.
Since arriving in the US, I basically never spoke Mandarin ever again. Like 10+ years now.
English is my most fluent language. I could probably form complex speeches in English, well I mean… I’m basically born here, minus the first decade of my life. I can maybe say a few basic ideas in Cantonese, but cannot discuss anything meaningful like politics, medical stuff, or bussiness terms. I can barely express any ideas in Mandarin. I’d have to think about it in Cantonese, then convert it in my mind into Mandarin, although both are Chinese, there are some unique “quirks” that make some phrases slightly different.
If I went to China today, I’d probably sound like either (1) a new immigrant from korea, japan, or vietnam; or (2) someone with an intellectual disability. In contrast, I could probably talk to any tourist or bussiness people visiting China and have a full conversation with them and they’d be shocked why a “Chinese looking” person can speak perfect English.
I have no idea what “native” language even means anymore. I’d probably describe English as my “most proficient language” and Cantonese as an “old and forgotten tongue”