What we can say with absolute certainty is that speaking more than one language makes life a whole lot richer and more interesting, with more dimension and insight. We might not gain a whole new persona, but we do gain glimpses into something else.

The situations in which we are required to speak one or the other language can have a huge impact on why we feel a certain way when we’re speaking it. I might feel more confident as the English “me”, because most of my adult life has happened in an English-speaking environment, i.e. I’ve managed work, house buying, having children, sorting out bank... See more

I would go so far as to say that even books and films change personality when presented in different languages. Things do get lost in translation. Some things are humorous precisely because of the way the language is used to express them — they wouldn’t be funny in translation. This is why literary translation is a true art, and also why dubbing... See more

interestingly, I seem to find it easier to exhibit anger in English. I definitely swear more in English! This might be because by speaking a language that isn’t my mother tongue, I can distance myself emotionally. And that’s a really interesting observation. Does that mean that the feelings expressed in my non-native language are less real? This... See more