Welcome back, learners and language enthusiasts! Last time, I went over the definition of “fluency” given to us by the International Center for Language Studies and what it could mean for us as we level up in our use of a new language.
“A speaker achieves fluency once they can confidently, competently, and easily express themselves in a language other than their own.”
It sounds so simple, but we all know fluency is far more than a “one and done” definition like this one. It’s far more debated, subjective, and difficult than what this summary can tell us. This time, I wanted to share the thoughts of my friends and acquaintances from around the world about fluency, based on the following question:
“Can you give a short summary of how you think the concept of fluency has been defined for you by your language coaches and/or other language learners you know?”
Here I’ll feature several answers from a handful of learners with all different goals, methods, learning backgrounds, and levels in their target languages. On purpose, however, over half of those I communicated with on this topic would be considered “fluent” in their target language by all of the common standards given by testing and certification organizations. That’s because I wanted to talk to people who by all possible means already achieved what we’re talking about, because they have their own independent sense of how it feels to use a language “fluently.” Here's what they had to say:
“I’m kind of afraid of the word “fluency,” to be honest, since it’s so freely tossed around. I’d say somebody was fluent if they were able to sit down with a native and hold a conversation about something slightly-specific without too much additional strain being placed on the native by the learner’s deficiencies in the language.”
-USA
“I’d say I know that I’ve reached fluency in a language when I don’t have to consistently look up words. It’s difficult to give a definition of fluency, but I’d say if you have to look up words rarely, and don’t have to ask back at people you’re speaking to (i.e. “could you repeat that?”) all the time, then you can probably call yourself fluent.”
-Germany
“For most of my peers the concept of fluency is being able to speak English on high B2 (level) or low C1, because that’s the moment where you can easily make small talk and talk about virtually any topic. B2 is the level where you can say you know the language without being laughed at, because you can express yourself with a good amount of vocabulary.”
-Poland
“It’s a broad concept that encompasses several aspects of language use. It’s often described as the ability to communicate effortlessly, allowing for smooth and continuous speech production. This involves having mastered word recognition skills to the point where they do not require conscious attention. Fluency is also about the ability to convey meaning.”
-Ukraine/USA
“In my opinion, it’s when you start thinking in the foreign language and you’re in tune with the way people usually express themselves. Essentially, instead of just translating your native language’s words and expressions, you use theirs.”
-Israel
“Fluency— fluid thought/speech in a language. It can depend on the topic, of course, but these levels are easy to spot. If you are able to speak about a topic “fluidly” then I can say you’re fluent at that topic. To be fluent in a language would mean you can speak on many different topics (i.e. politics, science, math, about yourself/things around you). I don’t think it matters if you can use advanced words in all topics. I think as long as all the words are well-known and speech is fluid when you speak, you are fluent.”
-USA
“Being fluent can mean anything from conversational but flawed to sounding like a native. People think of it in their own way. If I were to say what fluency is, that would involve being able to speak, read, and write as close as possible to the way native speakers do. That would involve not speaking in a textbook manner but more fluidly—being real, not robotic, understanding phrases of speech, having some knowledge of slang.”
-Croatia
From these types of testimonies it’s abundantly clear that fluency is not something which has a predictable and standardized definition worldwide. What all of the opinions and experiences here do have in common, however, is as follows:
· Sense of Independence with the Language
If you no longer have to constantly look up words or ask natives to rephrase or slow down, this is a good sign that your understanding of the language has increased to a very high (and possibly fluent) level.
· Ability to Speak on a Range of Topics
If you’re able to discuss a variety of topics and engage with commonly-encountered subject matter, it’s a great indicator of your fluency. Of course, not even every native of a language can speak on brain science or aerospace engineering, because that’s a matter of occupational fluency. Not being a walking encyclopedia doesn’t disqualify you from being fluent!
· Thinking/Producing Speech Fluidly
Do you hardly find yourself hesitating anymore when gathering your thoughts and putting them out there vocally among native speakers? Have you begun to think in the new language without directly noticing it, like it’s a reflex for you? This is a key concept of adopting a new language as your own and using it fluently.
If you’re looking for the part one post about fluency, you can find it HERE. I’m interested in visiting this topic again in the future and chipping down the illusive and mysterious barrier we often encounter when we try to discover what fluency really is or can be. Until next time!
Heckmann-Höfe, Berlin, 2023
