Re:Show HN: I speak 5 languages. Common apps taught me none....
by Throaway1982 on Saturday February 14, 2026 @09:00AM
(#47014587)
"Also, speaking from experience, I'll often "comprehend a sentence 100% in another language". Then I'll really listen to it again and realize I'm not really sure about half of the words. I have a vague idea of most of them and in context my brain get's it and self-reports full comprehension.
I think "full comprehension" is a substantially higher bar than "fluency"."
I get it, and in my experience, when I find myself relistening and not being sure about "half the words," it means Im not fluent!
Re:Show HN: I speak 5 languages. Common apps taught me none....
by barrell on Monday February 16, 2026 @12:43AM
(#47031287)
I wasn’t claiming fluency in these languages, just making a point that comprehension is normally very over-exaggerated, and that “full comprehension” is a long way off from just average “comprehension”, and in most cases not needed to converse/listen/read. A big part of fluency is being able to deal with a certain level of ambiguity
And to each their own. Fluency is a bad metric because it means something different to everyone. If you live in a language, work in a language, and have friends in a language, most people would consider that fluent. I've met many, many people who qualify with a much lower comprehension level than 90%.
Also, speaking from experience, I'll often "comprehend a sentence 100% in another language". Then I'll really listen to it again and realize I'm not really sure about half of the words. I have a vague idea of most of them and in context my brain get's it and self-reports full comprehension.
I think "full comprehension" is a substantially higher bar than "fluency".