What language do you dream in?

I remember being told by someone long ago that when you dream in your second (same could go for third or fourth) language that you have made it. Meaning you are fluent. I loved hearing that. I actually thought it was fascinating since I've been obsessed with languages for years, and that includes sign language. I've known since I was in high school that I'd be involved with foreign languages somehow in my life because I can say for sure that that and culture have long been interests of mine, hence my double major in college - Anthropology and Spanish. For years I'd wanted to know more about exchange students and when I was in 11th grade I jumped on the chance to apply to be one and adventure off to the unknown once I had graduated from high school.


I can't recall the first dream that I had in Spanish, but I know it was after I'd been living in Bolivia for some time. I imagine that it was after at least 6 months of being there. It makes sense. I spoke a lot of Spanish throughout the day - to my host families, friends, boyfriend, taxi drivers, store owners, etc. I don't remember that first dream being completely in Spanish, but I know that I was speaking Spanish as I dreamt. Once I woke up and realized what I'd done, I felt exhilarated. I had accomplished what only bilingual people do. Correct? At least I felt I could brag to people that I had dreamt in a foreign language.


Fast forward a number of years and I can say with assurance that I have dreamt in Portuguese as well. I know that I dreamt in the language while I was in Brazil and that I don't do so regularly. I mean, English is my native language and I didn't dream in a second language until I was 18 years old (while in Bolivia) so it's not a daily occurrence or anything, but it happens. Additionally, I often think and talk to myself in Portuguese. I catch myself doing this when I'm thinking about something that I want to say to my husband and I talk to my cat in both languages; I believe that comes from the fact that I'm constantly speaking Portuguese to E, so why not to the cat or to myself? It's a habit.


I remember once having a bad dream, not too long ago, that was in English. In this dream, someone was either going to hurt or kill me and I was scared, but all of a sudden E appeared and saved me. Once he entered into my dream I looked at him and spoke to him in Portuguese, thanking him of course. Once I was finished addressing him I reverted back to speaking/thinking/dreaming in English. Interesting, isn't it? It's like since I normally speak Portuguese with E on a daily basis, that transferred over to my dream and I interrupted my English language dreaming in order to respond to E's saving me, at which time I spoke Portuguese. When I turned back to speak to the other person in my dream, I must have assumed that he was an English language speaker like myself. 


For a multilingual, pseudo Anthropologist as myself this is all so interesting. I like to "study" my own language acquisition and learn from myself. I believe that it helps make me a better language teacher. I also observe my husband and those around me.


My questions now are....what language do you dream in? Do you have bilingual dreams? Does the language you're speaking in your dream change depending on who you're "talking" to (like me)? Do you speak your second/third/fourth language fluently when you dream?

Give me flowers,
And make my day..
Hold my hand,
and take me away.

Vivo sonhando....

Vivo sonhando, sonhando mil horas sem fim...

DAY ELEVEN

THE DREAM

I had kinda weird dream last night. It wasn't scary, but I'm scared. It not unusual, I keep getting weird dreams but most of it I don't remember, but this one I do very vividly.

First,I'm carrying two big suitcases going back to hostel probably, all alone. On the way my suitcase falls on the ground, someone tries to help, so I say to that person "I'm used carrying luggage all alone, its okay I'll do it" and the next moment I call my parents and say I cant do it alone, you guys have to come.

Next the whole thing changes and I'm inside some place like the way to temple in tirupati, its all crowded,people are pushing each other and all that, at the end, while getting down the stairs, some auntie and my mom talk, they are happy.

Next the whole thing changes, I'm outside some building everyone is there,there are two big buses, I don't know who all but they all are there, then my papa comes outside the building, he's got pop-corn chicken in his hand, and he's very happy too. He's even got ice-cream, he asks me which ice cream do I want ,I say chocolate, and he gives me that.

Then the scene changes into a room, I'm trying out  Saree and blouse, its day before my WEDDING!!!My parents are discussing something. I clearly remember the colour was red, then I tell my mom to get another Saree, and she tells me, no this will look better even my papa agrees,the suitcase I thought was my hostel stuff, is actually my wedding stuff! After sometime,I am lying on my bed, I'm very very nervous, unable to sleep, some aunties are talking in the background, telling that they both know each from so many years and things like that, and I'm thinking about the photos the groom and I were together in the past, and I think start thinking about him,if he is also this nervous, will he be awake too, is it okay if I text him, or should I not contact him till the wedding..and all of a sudden I woke up!!!!

Sad part,I didn't come to know who the groom was.

This is happening for the 2nd time, first time I was supposed to be getting married in a church, my parents were all happy, I was wearing the white dress and heels it was all so beautiful. We were all waiting for the groom to arrive before he did I woke up!

Anyways, if you have read till here then thank you for actually reading my stupid dream  and god bless you!
 Have a nice day :)