Which Language Do I Write Better In?
When it comes to writing, I tend to struggle equally across all the languages I can speak. My sentences often become overly descriptive, stretching for more than 5 lines with excessive linking words, highlighting changes like contradictions or continuations of logical flows. This makes for a dry, not particularly pleasant read for any reader.
The Dry Sentences Phenomenon
Take, for example, a paragraph from my high school yearbook. All my close friends wrote brilliantly flowing entries on my page, but mine were significantly dry in comparison. This observation wasn’t unique to my native tongue.
It was only in the IT industry that I found some solace. Engineers in Canada, as I learned, are quite comfortable with dry language. In fact, a poet-novelist was given the task of writing the oath of the “Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.” The selection was based on the fact that “we engineers can’t write soul-touching sentences to save our lives.” This was both a relief and a challenge.
Native vs. Second Language
My native language, English, generally requires fewer trips to the dictionary due to a broader understanding of linguistic peculiarities. Despite its dated writing system, English rules stick with me even when trying to forget them. Spanish, though arguably easier, pales in comparison. Japanese, however, is a different beast. It may take another 10 years of study to write decently in it.
My proficiency in my native Icelandic remains unmatched. It’s the language I learned when I was very young, and the rules and grammar are deeply imprinted within my brain. Over time, my English language skills have improved, while my ability to speak and pronounce Icelandic has diminished. After a few months without much Icelandic practice, I need to think before speaking; it quickly comes back, but the differences in sounds can be a challenge.
Expressiveness and Thoughts
Writing in English often requires careful thought to find the right words, as the language is concise and may truncate or twist thoughts. In contrast, the fluidity of Icelandic allows words to flow more naturally. Icelandic, with its inflections, can be challenging to learn initially but is advantageous for composing thoughts.
English, with its vast vocabulary, may seem to have many short, precise words. However, many of these words are extensive combinations. Icelandic, though with a smaller vocabulary, has a higher density of expressiveness, allowing concepts to be conveyed more easily without using an excessive number of words.
Being the first language I learned, Icelandic remains the language where I feel most confident and expressive. Every day, I run into fun new words in English, but I’ll always feel freer and more expressive in my native Icelandic.