Alcohol induced fluency

[Hedonologist]

Has anyone else noticed an increase in fluency shortly after consuming alcohol. The knowledge must be there in your mind but the few times I have consumed alcohol I always notice that I'm much more willing to speak in a foreign language, and I end up doing it a lot more competently. Obviously we are talking small amounts here, not to the point of drunkenness.

[Shamde]

Are you absolutely sure? Perhaps you were too drunk to notice how bad you were doing... I can imagine thinking I was speaking fluent Japanese (but actually speaking English!) if I were drunk.

Perhaps I should try it though.

[Hedonologist]

Are you absolutely sure? Perhaps you were too drunk to notice how bad you were doing... I can imagine thinking I was speaking fluent Japanese (but actually speaking English!) if I were drunk.

Perhaps I should try it though.

Oh I'm sure, I had some natives compliment me on my not perfect, but surprisingly good ability to converse. Before that I had not really used the language outside of a Pimsluer type artificial environment, and whilst I had theoretically spoken before, I'd never had real world practice like that.

[Trellum]

I no longer drink due health reasons, but back when I did I felt like I could take over the world, hehehe!  I felt such an urge to speak a foreign language, but to be honest I don't think the alcohol made me extra fluent, I just think my inhibitions and self-consciousness disappeared and I just thought I could speak the language better that I ever thought.  But in fact I was just making a fool of myself by uttering a bunch of things that made no sense, lol. That's how my friends used to tell me it was, I have a completely different memory.

That's how it usually is when you get really drunk   Nothing good ever came out of that

[Daimashin]

Alcohol influences your brain making you speak out otherwise what you don't dare to speak out when you're not drinking. People are much bolder when they're drunk. Perhaps you were shy to use it when you're sober.

[marmunmrhundun]

Another interesting thread. I have never consumed any alcohol but I can see what you are talking about. I know alcohol puts you out of it, but your mind is still intact. It probably just makes you do it as a way of entertaining yourself. However I have never known this to be a drinking side effect.

[lizbeth19hph]

I have never heard nor have I tried this alcohol-induced language fluency thingy. I think it's not also proper to recommend this to my students who are learning English. What I know is that based on my observations, if students are drunk, they feel lazier to study and may commit more mistakes if they took alcohol. Maybe it worked for you but that could be a psychological one since you could have made yourself believe that your language fluency could be very well be attributed with the alcohol you drank.

[fredkawig]

I never drank alcohol. I have a classmate who they claim to have increased knowledge and fluency when he is drunk. We also have one employee who speaks in straight English when he is drunk. Maybe it enables something in their brain that makes them shameless or something.

[sidney]

I think the only beneficial effect of alcohol in people is that they make them less inhibited and more confident, so it makes them courageous to speak another language in public without the fear of getting humiliated. I don't think they can induce fluency because fluency is more of what the mind actually knows already.

[Peninha]

I think the only beneficial effect of alcohol in people is that they make them less inhibited and more confident, so it makes them courageous to speak another language in public without the fear of getting humiliated. I don't think they can induce fluency because fluency is more of what the mind actually knows already.

I agree with this, it's not that you speak better, I'd say you are speaking without fearing what others might think and that probably makes you speak more, but that is not necessarily better!

[Baburra]

Yes, I think it helps sometimes, or at least the effect helps. If you are somehow able to duplicate the fluidity of not having to over think every word or sentence and just speak freely as you would your first language, then it would have the same effect on your fluency I'd assume.

[chrism]

If Rob Ford's exceptional drunken fluency in Jamaican is any indication, you might be on to something. The "neuroplasticity" effect of alcohol consumption might be worth noting, in that for as many brain cells as it kills off, the potential for new pathways exists.

I might prefer the newer research that says "If you want to remember something, drink coffee right after studying it."

[Loki]

This has happened to me many times. After a drink, I find myself more willing to try out a language I am trying to learn. It feels good, and I wish that motivation is there when I am sober, too. Ugh.

[tenzijth]

Alcohol just gets rid of your inhibitions which makes it easier to get stuff out with confidence. Sentences come out more naturally etc. There is, of course, a point when alcohol no longer is helpful though... :party:

[LivetoErr]

I agree with the others, who said alcohol reduces the inhibitions you have regarding your will to speak the language. If I was a drinker, alcohol would most likely help me; I am fully aware that I'm to shy to speak in a regular situation.

There is a reason why they call alcohol 'liquid courage,' you know

[TheJamal]

Increased fluency? Not so sure about that one. Might want to ask some friends around you to see if you're actually speaking more fluently or just thinking you are. Alcohol tends to do that!

[Aishe]

Has anyone else noticed an increase in fluency shortly after consuming alcohol. The knowledge must be there in your mind but the few times I have consumed alcohol I always notice that I'm much more willing to speak in a foreign language, and I end up doing it a lot more competently. Obviously we are talking small amounts here, not to the point of drunkenness.

I think it's the way alcohol reduces your inhibitions and makes you feel more confident about what you are doing. There's none of those nagging thoughts at the back of your head worrying about what if you get something wrong and the such.

[mechaeliorw]

I understand you very well and you're doing a great job of wanting to deal with this. I think this is a topic worth educating so people can help each other. I advise you to visit the addiction treatment clinic Abbeycare Aberdeen, they have very good specialists and I am sure they will help you. Don't give up, you will definitely succeed!

[ElvinWarner]

That\'s true, it\'s important to avoid alcohol because the negative consequences can be pretty severe, from health problems to serious issues in life. My friend started to develop an alcohol addiction.

[rob.rain923]

I agree that the fact that you realize you are addicted and you are ready to recover is awesome, and I think I can recommend you check out residential inpatient treatment centers. It helped my father recover from his addiction and I hope you can do the same. The most important thing is the desire to get rid of addiction and the support of your loved ones.

[mikerooney]

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