​This is because a lot of people (both language learners and multilinguals alike), have the wrong idea about what it means to be “fluent”. By refusing to identify as a "fluent" speaker, many multilinguals downplay their skills this way. This can send the wrong message about your proficiency level. If you want to send the right message, you must first understand what it really means to be fluent. Here are 3 things no one tells you about language fluency:

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1. Fluency does NOT necessarily mean native or near-native skills. Many people assume that fluency = near native level. That couldn’t be further from the truth. On the most basic level, fluency means that you can speak a language easily and well. This can be done with only a core vocabulary of the most commonly used words. It can be anywhere from 1500-5000 words, depending upon the language. You don’t have to know every single word in the target language, because natives don’t even know all of them. The important thing is that you can speak with ease and you can use context clues to extrapolate the meaning of new words used by natives in conversation.
2. There are levels to this. There are different degrees of fluency. There are those who can communicate with ease. They usually have achieved upper B1/lower B2 comprehension. Then, there are those who communicate easily and articulately, who have usually achieved upper B2/lower C1 comprehension. There are also those who communicate near native level to native level (upper C1/C2) comprehension. Which one are you?
3. Fluency is relative. Keep that in mind, when talking to people who don’t speak your target language. For example, when a person, who does not speak German, asks me if am I fluent, I always say yes and never hesitate. Why? Because in my opinion (and the opinion of many Germans), I am. I can do many daily routine things without the assistance of a language dictionary. I can go to the store, I can ask for directions, I can go on a date (see one of my previous posts on dating in a foreign language ‘cause I’ve went on plenty), I can listen to podcasts, watch TV, talk to people, etc. I’ve even worked for a German company and have worked in German language working environments! I’m a whole lot further along than the 82% of Americans who don’t even speak a foreign language. So are you.

Even if you have a modest vocabulary of 1500-3000, how easily you can communicate (understand and speak) determines your fluency level. I hope this gives you something to think about regarding your language level. So, stop saying you’re not fluent and own your fluency.

When I first connected with Clara online, she didn’t really speak much German. She could say some words but I could see she had a strong desire to learn and was determined. Now, she is almost native level.

I’ve heard of showstoppers, gamechangers and other people who have amassed a prestige and a success in unconventional ways. But what about people who changed the world by healing one person at a time? I caught up with Adeola Aderemi, founder of the media collective, Distinguished Diva, to share her language learning experiences and how she touches the lives of others.

Some people excel in this world, others completely change the game. That’s what Janice Deul, founder of Diversity Rules, is doing for the fashion world. She’s changing the game by celebrating and advocating for more diversity in fashion. I caught up with the Netherlands-based multilingual lifestyle journalist & fashion activist to learn more about her platform and her linguistic abilities.

• We need to break the unrealistic stereotypes. If you look at the media you see more images of black women a la Love and Hip Hop/Real Housewives of Atlanta and less images a la Claire Huxtable (who spoke Spanish fluently by the way), perpetuated by the media regarding black women. By the way, there are less black women that actually behave the way the media portrays.
• We are underrepresented in profiles of multilinguals and polyglots. I spend hours performing google searches and refining keywords again and again in pursuit of information on multilingual black celebs and notables. Very few (or even worse no) black notables come up in my initial searches. I see loads of lists such as “21 Celebs You Didn’t Know Were Multilingual”. Honestly, I’m lucky if I see a brown face on the list. The sad part is, I keep seeing the same 2 brown faces in different lists. I KNOW that there are more of us than that. Couple this fact with #1 and you’ll understand why I say people act soooooooo shocked, when I start speaking other languages besides English.

• We can enrich our lives with different experiences as black women. Multilingualism provides access to additional experiences, career opportunities and multiple avenues to success.
• We can ensure our safety. Do you remember that episode of Scandal, where Olivia Pope quickly outwitted her kidnappers and foiled their trafficking attempt by speaking fluent Farsi to the Persian terrorists? While this is a fictional show, the dangers of human trafficking are real. The danger increases when you are not in your home country and it increases even more when you don’t speak any of the language. The more languages you know when traveling abroad, the safer you become when your voice can be heard by any and everyone at any given time.
• We stimulate our creativity and intellect. When we speak another language besides our native language, we stimulate activity in less used areas of the brain, thereby increasing brain power and creativity.
• We can expand our dating pool (if we so choose). It expands the dating pool, not only beyond race, but you can also date people who don’t even speak your native language.
• We can mentor. We can give back to the community by teaching what we’ve learned or we can become a role model and use our story to inspire and encourage others.

What other reasons can you think of for more black women to become multilingual? Share below!

You ever meet someone and they just have that “je ne sais quoi”? That’s what I thought about Brenda when we first connected on social media. For some reason, when I looked at her pics, I was mesmerized and found her to be gorgeous! I later found out she lives in Europe (my dream!) AND is multilingual. Seemed like a kindred spirit, so I decided I reach out and express my desire to showcase her on the site. 

I decided to make another video with details for creating an immersion simulation specific for learning German, complete with techniques and resources. Click here for the full video on how to simulate German immersion. I mentioned a lot of resources in the video so, here is a complete list of what was mentioned:
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This multilingual plus model speaks English, French and Kreyol. What's her number one tip to learning languages? Find out more behind the jump!

BGLL: Thanks so much Myrna for agreeing to share your story and tips for those who wish to teach English abroad. 

Myrna: Thank you for asking to feature me. I'm so honored!

BGLL: So, tell us more about yourself. What languages do you currently speak?

Myrna: My name is Myrna Joseph and I am from NYC. I am Haitian and Dominican. I speak English and understand Haitian-Creole. I have a BA in the Arts from Queens College. Currently working as an ESL teacher in China but hoping to go to other countries.
 

Whenever anyone decides to start learning a language, there are always certain topics that most people take specific interest in: learning curse words, how to flirt and or use slang to sound cool (am I lying?). That’s all well and good, but how far will those get you when you are trying to haggle or tell a doctor that something hurts? They won’t take you very far, but knowing how to do these 3 things will:

Meet Gabrielle, an Afro-Boricua that’s making a difference in the world. She is originally from New York City, but has recently relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Her native languages are English and Spanish. She also studied French in college and still understands it. She knows some Bengali as a result of the time she spent in West Bengal, India.

This Cum Laude BA recipient uses her English degree to teach English as foreign language, giving her students the tools they need to achieve their professional, academic or personal goals. She also fought for a more diverse work environment at one of her previous employers by speaking up to the founder of the organization

After months of racist microagressions, she finally stood up for herself against her coworkers and informed them that their discriminatory and racist comments were creating hostile work environment.

Oh, to be young, gifted AND black. In the words of Nina Simone, “In the whole world you know, there are a billion boys and girls who are young, gifted and black, and that’s a fact!”.

Nina didn’t lie. Now, while “youth” is relative (I don’t care what anyone says, I’m still YOUNG), there are so many of us who are gifted and black AND killing it. The fact that we aren’t bombarded with these images disturb me. How can we stay motivated, inspired and encouraged, if we don’t see images of ourselves being successful?

This is why I’ve started this Young, Gifted & Black Series, where weekly I will share with you real life she-roes who are young, gifted and black. #BlackGirlMagic at its finest!

Meet Rayna Edwards, a linguist in every sense of the word. She speaks English, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic and intermediate French.