Thinking in Japanese

[Rukifellth]

So I was just watching that recent Olly Richards video about thinking in target languages. I think I’ve thought of thinking in Japanese a lot, however when I am speaking in Japanese, I don’t feel like I’m thinking much at all. like it’s really blurry but I can speak and respond in Japanese, but I’m unsure if I’m really thinking in it- it’s hard to explain. Normally I can think in vivid detail in English so it’s interesting.

Anyway- I am curious how do yall think in Japanese? like do you think out the full sentences before trying to speak, think one word at a time, or is it all a blur like myself? or maybe you just transliterate your English into Japanese and just start every sentence with 私は and 貴方は?

[bunnypro]

@Rukifellth

I think I’ve thought of thinking

Let me think about that

[JamesBunpro]

@Rukifellth

however when I am speaking in Japanese, I don’t feel like I’m thinking much at all. like it’s really blurry but I can speak and respond in Japanese, but I’m unsure if I’m really thinking in it- it’s hard to explain. Normally I can think in vivid detail in English so it’s interesting.

I personally feel like my brain is empty when speaking either language and “thinking” about what to say is more like waiting for divine inspiration. It does take active effort to switch from Japanese to English though. The worst times are when I can’t remember the way to say something in either language…

(I actually think regardless of foreign language learning it is quite interesting how different the experience of “thinking” feels to different people)