No, firstly it is not convenient, secondly it is not obligatory to torture yourself. I use the second language for official affairs.

Thank you very much Salem Elsheltat of Misurata University for asking if one can use a second or another language to communicate with a friend or another person who speaks the same first language (mother tongue) like him or her. What I think about this question raised by Salem Elsheltat is that, it depends on both sides or on the interest of each side of two people who have communicate with each other.

For example, on one hand, you (Salem) might prefer to communicate to that person oor your friend in the mother tongue which both of understand perfectly well because it is your native (cultural) language, but on the other hand, your friend or colleague might wish to communicate in English, Italian, French, or Spanish instead.

Likewise, your friend, neighbour, family member, or colleague, might wish to talk or speak to you in a foreign language but might decided to respond to him or her in your first language, for instance in Arabic language. Both of of you understand both native and foreign languages well, but your attitudes are different.

There are different reasons for this. Some reasons include upbringing history, background, career development, professional practice, specific circumstances, or personal or principles or policies. It may also be due to the policies or the organizations for which one may be working or affiliated or for transparency in a multicultural society or environment.

For example, if your friend is there with another friend who is a foreigner who does not understand your native language, and when you communicate to him or her in that language, say in Arabic; your friend would like to respond in Italian or English for the benefit of a foreigner with respect to transparency or curtesy.

Your friend may also be working, training, or studying in a multicultural society which favours intercultural communication skills.Or your friend or yourself might have special need to speak in the languages of your choice as a human right.

That means when you speak to other people, you may may try to figure out their choices of languages for communication. i am aware of two friends who speak different languages while communicating between themselves. For example, one speaks in the mother tongue and the other uses a foreign language. Each of them understand both languages and their their communication is perfect.

I think both sides are right as long as they freely chose to do so.I remember, I went through this process when I was a student in Italy together with my friend from Uganda who is from my tribe (the same ethnic group).

Our colleagues from China (Chinese students) and other students from Asian countries used to ask us why we speaking that way. They thought both of us should have used our native language since we all speak the same mother tongue. But we comfortable with our communication.

Some institutions also require that people use the official language which may be different from the mother tongues, Some people are learning or practising foreign languages and they would like to use it as much as possible. This means, the choice of what language to use depends on the individuals concerned. There is not general rule for what is right or wrong between the two languages or friends.

I think this is quite a brilliant question.

Best regards

Wilson

No, the only chance to do is when we are accompanied by a native speaker of English .

I do. In fact most of the friends I talk to in English speak my native language.

No I don't need that

No, firstly it is not convenient, secondly it is not obligatory to torture yourself. I use the second language for official affairs.

In my country, Uganda, using English to communicate with your fellow tribesmen or women is common. Especially young boys winning hearts of young girls by use of romantic English phases like sweet like honey.

Second language here, email communication and abroad.

Sometimes, I do

I like to speak with my friends in the mother tongue and I do not feel comfortable talking to them in another language

I do sometimes, but mother languge still more comfortable

Nope. Verbal communication and written communication, the first language is the best for all cases. I am a bilingual in Korean ans English. The two languages have different structure and use a different way of thinking. So I feel stressed with working with a Korean-language based manuscript. Even if it has been translated from Korean into English, the manuscript should be very much revised so that an English-language based writer can understand the nature and context of the manuscript. However, I am happy with my strength, a bilingual ability, which expands my capability globally and significantly.

Dear Salem Elsheltat, I speak 4 languages quite well and one less than basic. The language that I speak less than basic is the language of my youth. On a daily base I speak at least 2 languages. Of the 4 languages I can not handle 2 in bigger groups. Talking in these languages is complicated in bigger groups, maybe because I do not understand the non-verbal languages in the related cultures. Why are you raising this question? Please explain that. Thanks Carl

To write my answer, I put aside the words in your explanation of the question, "when there are non-English speakers around you". I'm a Japanese and like to use my second language of English to communicate with my Japanese colleagues about research problems by e-mail. The reason is as follows: I mostly read and write in English about my research work. So, it is easier to write about research problems in English than in Japanese. However, the responses from the colleagues are mostly in Japanese, ha-ha!

Language is the most powerful tool for communication with others.

Absolutely I will speak my mother language.

No, concerning my friends who speak only my first language.

Regards

during international and national meetings, for fun

For me sometime No ,and sometime yes , because when we do any mistake, there is no one to correct to us and also there is few mistake in pronunciation.I think talk with English people, for instance I think the best ..

No, no need for that

With friends, it is rarely used a 2nd language while it is often used with colleagues in scientific discussion.

Thank you

If it is merely to show off my competence in English (this happens usually among the elite of ex- British colonies), I will happily refrain from it.

True, Nazir

Only when the second language is used for the purpose of international communication either written or spoken.

I can use that second language for the sake of the one unfamiliar with my first lunguage but i cant feel comfortable at all. it feels colonialistic in mind and therefore un-realistic to me as a person who knows who iam.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!

with some friends

No, I don't need that, not even as a role-game