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If you speak a second language better than your native language, would you describe your second language skill as "native" or "fluent"?

This is definitely a bit of a stupid question... but methinks this happens to a good number of immigrants. Asking because there is a bit of a funny philosophical debate here:

  • Technically the second language is not "native" by virtue of you not growing up with it
  • But you speak it better than your native language, so skill-wise it is "native"

So do you have "native" language skills, or would you consider yourself simply highly "fluent" at the second language?

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