Oh this was SO well said. I feel as if I have a hybrid experience. I watch people with a repertoire of two+ languages moving through the world with ease and speaking English like it's second nature, not their second language. And as an American living abroad, I'm usually in international circles with English as the default. There's a lot of privilege in being a native speaker in that sense, but you're right. It's as if others are regularly guests in our language home but it's not as common for Brits or Americans to have that experience because we are too comfortable (lots of political stuff there but moving on). And on the other hand, I do speak Spanish. I have a degree in it, I've lived in Spain for three years, I have friendships in it, and about half my reels have tapped into Spanish/Latin American humor and that is a wonderful wonderful world. My world has opened up since learning Spanish. And having learned tidbits of Catalan and starting to seriously learn Italian, my world is increasingly growing and vibrant. But I have the hardest time claiming I speak Spanish because I know that I don't move through the world with it in the same way as friends who learn English as a second language. For them, their native language is home and they are regular guests in English. For us, English is home and bridge. It has so many functions. For me, Spanish feels more like a window into another world (and one I love). But I get what you're saying about Welsh. Having lived in Barcelona and Mallorca, I've seen the pride that people have in Catalan and Mallorquín. I kind of envy it. To have language tied so deeply to your sense of home and identity is a feeling we don't really have as English speakers (I mean... we could but the privilege is such that it is a fine line between pride and endorsing linguistic imperialism). Ours is so broad, so universal. Maybe that's why I cling to my fading Southern accent, idioms, and "y'all" as much as I do. Anyways, still collecting my thoughts on all this, hope this made an iota of sense. And as far as accent goes, don't worry about it! I get being insecure about it, but you wouldn't judge someone speaking English with a thick French accent, would you? The most important thing is being understood. And the unfortunate thing about language learning is you just have to try, mistakes and all, even if you fear you sound silly. Because the only way is through. And practice. And more practice. Also, just be aware that the bar will continuously grow higher as you learn a language and it is what it is. But the growth is happening regardless. Also, I've been lurking on your page for so long, can't believe I haven't subscribed till now!
oh my gosh I can’t thank you enough for leaving such a thoughtful comment!! I loved this little insight into your experiences and am in complete agreement about all the things you touched on! English as a home AND bridge and having a language as a window… such an interesting thing to think about. I’d of course never judge those speaking English with foreign accents and you’re right that I shouldn’t necessarily hold myself to a different standard when learning another language. Thank you so much again for reading and engaging
i love love love this article!!! as a native english speaker interacting with primarily nonnative speakers it really hits you over and over again how much harder everyone around you has to work and it honestly takes so much getting used to, alongside readjusting how you view language and power. i hope you write more about language, this was so well said!!
Em this is your best essay yet - I’m absolutely speechless and in awe. This is the first full length article I’ve read since returning to substack and it reminds me how lucky I am to be able to access this level of talent for free. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world 🩷💜
Thank you for reminding me that I'm not only learning French out of obligation but also put of love, out of the want to be able to read a home I do not live in, to express myself in a new poetry. Going to take this one with me in 2026
as an english language student, finding other people so joyful and thankful of all the different ways we communicate makes me so happy ❤️ (yes i could go on for days about all the little quirky things i love about language and how it differs in other cultures/environments)
Em 🫶 you seriously never miss. You’re always putting out some of the best pieces on here, and this one set such a high bar for 2026 already. I’ve been a little MIA for a bit, but I’ve still been keeping up with your work and honestly, this might be my favorite thing you’ve written yet 🤍
this is literally so kind 🥹🥹🥹 thank you so much, I felt particularly proud of this one when I finished it so it means the world to know it translates 💜 I appreciate the support so much, Codie!!
I felt this very deeply, especially as a French leaving in Canada. English is my second language, and Spanish and Italian are supposed to be my third and fourth since I studied them at school and am sometimes able to communicate with Spanish and Italian people, but the language I can truly find all of my words is French and it will always be. I feel so frustrated sometimes that I have to explain some of my emotions in a language that doesn’t illustrate them the way I feel and picture them.
em, if it wasn't obvious from my overabundance of restacks, this is gorgeous and I'm in love with your "purple prose" and your way of thinking about language. everything, basically 💜
Although I am bilingual but still I keep on feeling like I am lacking something every single time I hear someone speak in a language unknown to me. 2026 is going to be a busy year for me but still I wish that I will start speaking another language by the end of it even if it's just the basics. Your essay was really wonderful and I had an amazing time reading it.❤️❤️❤️
"so I decorate it purple" YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME YOU'RE SUCH A TALENTED WRITER I CAN'T DEAL WITH IT (in a good way because i am just overwhelmed by the pure satisfaction that the way you express yourself brings me.....)
this piece has already earned a spot on my 2026 favourite reads and the first week of the year isn't even over yet. i have so many thoughts, and specially feelings, but because i have already attacked you too much with 12472171 messages i'll have to sum it up with: thank you. thank you for writing about this, thank you for the respect with which you talk about learning a second language, thank you for the love with which you treat this topic. and thank you for doing so in such an eloquent and talented way because reading you is always a delight<3333 purple prose all the way!! i'm left feeling a sense of awe and joy and fascination that is simply priceless, and it is all thanks to you:)
i’m going to cry!!!! honestly this platform has made me a better thinker and writer so i credit you and all the other writers i love reading on here for bringing this out of me 💜
Languages are so human. I once saw a couple who you could tell had two different native languages talking to each other in a mix of English and french and it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Jo Franco is a YouTuber I followed back in the day when it was Damon and Jo before the divorce lol and Jo knows like 6 languages and I just would die of happiness if I got to talk to 6 countries worth of people in their native language 😭
I loved this! I’ve been working on an essay about the same kind of topic recently, so it’s interesting to read your thoughts and perspective. I have a very different lived experience from you, but still rooted in the British attitude toward foreign languages. I’m glad you have such a positive attitude toward exploring other people‘s homes. I think we could all do with a bit more of that attitude. And for your language learning journey, bonne chance! Or as I would say it, viel Glück!💕
Oh this was SO well said. I feel as if I have a hybrid experience. I watch people with a repertoire of two+ languages moving through the world with ease and speaking English like it's second nature, not their second language. And as an American living abroad, I'm usually in international circles with English as the default. There's a lot of privilege in being a native speaker in that sense, but you're right. It's as if others are regularly guests in our language home but it's not as common for Brits or Americans to have that experience because we are too comfortable (lots of political stuff there but moving on). And on the other hand, I do speak Spanish. I have a degree in it, I've lived in Spain for three years, I have friendships in it, and about half my reels have tapped into Spanish/Latin American humor and that is a wonderful wonderful world. My world has opened up since learning Spanish. And having learned tidbits of Catalan and starting to seriously learn Italian, my world is increasingly growing and vibrant. But I have the hardest time claiming I speak Spanish because I know that I don't move through the world with it in the same way as friends who learn English as a second language. For them, their native language is home and they are regular guests in English. For us, English is home and bridge. It has so many functions. For me, Spanish feels more like a window into another world (and one I love). But I get what you're saying about Welsh. Having lived in Barcelona and Mallorca, I've seen the pride that people have in Catalan and Mallorquín. I kind of envy it. To have language tied so deeply to your sense of home and identity is a feeling we don't really have as English speakers (I mean... we could but the privilege is such that it is a fine line between pride and endorsing linguistic imperialism). Ours is so broad, so universal. Maybe that's why I cling to my fading Southern accent, idioms, and "y'all" as much as I do. Anyways, still collecting my thoughts on all this, hope this made an iota of sense. And as far as accent goes, don't worry about it! I get being insecure about it, but you wouldn't judge someone speaking English with a thick French accent, would you? The most important thing is being understood. And the unfortunate thing about language learning is you just have to try, mistakes and all, even if you fear you sound silly. Because the only way is through. And practice. And more practice. Also, just be aware that the bar will continuously grow higher as you learn a language and it is what it is. But the growth is happening regardless. Also, I've been lurking on your page for so long, can't believe I haven't subscribed till now!
oh my gosh I can’t thank you enough for leaving such a thoughtful comment!! I loved this little insight into your experiences and am in complete agreement about all the things you touched on! English as a home AND bridge and having a language as a window… such an interesting thing to think about. I’d of course never judge those speaking English with foreign accents and you’re right that I shouldn’t necessarily hold myself to a different standard when learning another language. Thank you so much again for reading and engaging
this comment is absolutely fascinating and has left me with so much food for thought; thank you, Calley, for sharing your experience!
ahh fangirling that you read my comment haha. I adored your interview with Tara btw
i love love love this article!!! as a native english speaker interacting with primarily nonnative speakers it really hits you over and over again how much harder everyone around you has to work and it honestly takes so much getting used to, alongside readjusting how you view language and power. i hope you write more about language, this was so well said!!
thank you so much for reading, yuliet!!
Em this is your best essay yet - I’m absolutely speechless and in awe. This is the first full length article I’ve read since returning to substack and it reminds me how lucky I am to be able to access this level of talent for free. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world 🩷💜
thank you so much Emma - trying to set the bar high for myself in 2026 haha 🥲 seriously this means the world 💜
Thank you for reminding me that I'm not only learning French out of obligation but also put of love, out of the want to be able to read a home I do not live in, to express myself in a new poetry. Going to take this one with me in 2026
my absolute pleasure, thank you so much for reading 💜
I love this so much<3 What a beautiful way to see the world!
<333 thank you
as an english language student, finding other people so joyful and thankful of all the different ways we communicate makes me so happy ❤️ (yes i could go on for days about all the little quirky things i love about language and how it differs in other cultures/environments)
thanks for reading, lovely!
if you ever want to learn polish or have uestions, I’m here :)
this is so kind thank you!
Em 🫶 you seriously never miss. You’re always putting out some of the best pieces on here, and this one set such a high bar for 2026 already. I’ve been a little MIA for a bit, but I’ve still been keeping up with your work and honestly, this might be my favorite thing you’ve written yet 🤍
this is literally so kind 🥹🥹🥹 thank you so much, I felt particularly proud of this one when I finished it so it means the world to know it translates 💜 I appreciate the support so much, Codie!!
you're so very welcome 🤍🤍🤍
I felt this very deeply, especially as a French leaving in Canada. English is my second language, and Spanish and Italian are supposed to be my third and fourth since I studied them at school and am sometimes able to communicate with Spanish and Italian people, but the language I can truly find all of my words is French and it will always be. I feel so frustrated sometimes that I have to explain some of my emotions in a language that doesn’t illustrate them the way I feel and picture them.
that makes so much sense 🥺 thank you for reading and sharing
em, if it wasn't obvious from my overabundance of restacks, this is gorgeous and I'm in love with your "purple prose" and your way of thinking about language. everything, basically 💜
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 thank you so much for reading it all
Although I am bilingual but still I keep on feeling like I am lacking something every single time I hear someone speak in a language unknown to me. 2026 is going to be a busy year for me but still I wish that I will start speaking another language by the end of it even if it's just the basics. Your essay was really wonderful and I had an amazing time reading it.❤️❤️❤️
I hope you’re able to make some time for it, and so hope the same for myself too! thank you so much for reading 💜
"so I decorate it purple" YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME YOU'RE SUCH A TALENTED WRITER I CAN'T DEAL WITH IT (in a good way because i am just overwhelmed by the pure satisfaction that the way you express yourself brings me.....)
🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
this piece has already earned a spot on my 2026 favourite reads and the first week of the year isn't even over yet. i have so many thoughts, and specially feelings, but because i have already attacked you too much with 12472171 messages i'll have to sum it up with: thank you. thank you for writing about this, thank you for the respect with which you talk about learning a second language, thank you for the love with which you treat this topic. and thank you for doing so in such an eloquent and talented way because reading you is always a delight<3333 purple prose all the way!! i'm left feeling a sense of awe and joy and fascination that is simply priceless, and it is all thanks to you:)
i’m going to cry!!!! honestly this platform has made me a better thinker and writer so i credit you and all the other writers i love reading on here for bringing this out of me 💜
I loved reading this so much my love. If you ever want to get back into French I'll gladly help you out <33
Cat you are so kind!!! :') thank you <3
Languages are so human. I once saw a couple who you could tell had two different native languages talking to each other in a mix of English and french and it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Jo Franco is a YouTuber I followed back in the day when it was Damon and Jo before the divorce lol and Jo knows like 6 languages and I just would die of happiness if I got to talk to 6 countries worth of people in their native language 😭
it’s so amazing when people speak so many languages!!! and they go between them effortlessly, it’s such a surreal and gorgeous concept to me
I loved this! I’ve been working on an essay about the same kind of topic recently, so it’s interesting to read your thoughts and perspective. I have a very different lived experience from you, but still rooted in the British attitude toward foreign languages. I’m glad you have such a positive attitude toward exploring other people‘s homes. I think we could all do with a bit more of that attitude. And for your language learning journey, bonne chance! Or as I would say it, viel Glück!💕
omg Dominic if substack gets to see that essay I’ll be so excited to read! merci 🥹💜