Are you able to comprehend more Portuguese than you can articulate? I frequently listen to this from my students. No need to fret, you’re not by yourself.

A lot of individuals globally can comprehend a language but cannot verbalize it. They entirely understand others, view films, and read the language, yet when it comes to speaking, they can't form a single correct sentence.

Does that ring a bell? Is there a specific term for this phenomenon? What name does it have?

It is referred to as receptive bilingualism.

Certain individuals also discuss receptive multilingualism.

Allow me to clarify what is occurring to you and the reasons behind it. I will explain what receptive bilingualism means and discuss why you can understand a language while being unable to speak it.

Continue reading to discover how to address this issue and enhance your Portuguese speaking abilities!

What does Receptive Bilingualism mean?

As I stated earlier, receptive bilingualism refers to the capacity to understand a language in either written or spoken formats while possessing limited productive abilities. It indicates that your listening and reading abilities are at a native level, but you are not performing as well in speaking and writing.

Certain individuals refer to dormant or passive bilingualism, yet comprehending a language is never a passive activity. Your brain operates at maximum capacity to interpret unfamiliar sounds and assign them significance.

Thus, if you can comprehend and read Portuguese but cannot converse in it, you may be receptively bilingual.

Factors Leading to Receptive Bilingualism

Receptive bilingualism typically occurs in families of immigrants. Upon arriving in a new country, the urge to integrate compels you to concentrate intensely on the unfamiliar language.

Parents wish to assist their children and do not pressure them to use their native language. Children desire to blend in with their peers and gradually begin to use the community language more effectively than their native tongue.

The adolescent years are the time when this might be highlighted. Teens have difficulty expressing themselves, become aware of their errors, and begin to refrain from using their native language. Their parents may continue to converse with them in their native language, yet the children usually reply in the local language.

Receptive bilingualism can also occur in students who independently learn a language through watching, reading, and listening but lack the chance to speak and use it.

The majority of students experience this stage, but as soon as they sense the necessity to converse in the language they learned, their speaking abilities improve quickly.

In conclusion, what could be the reasons for stating “I can comprehend Portuguese but cannot speak it”?

Here are some:

* Community language is utilised both at home and beyond.

* Unease and shame.

* Insufficient exposure.

* The language is acquired, not experienced.

* Limited language resources .

Is Receptive Bilingualism Beneficial or Detrimental?

It relies on your linguistic objectives. You might greatly enjoy being receptively bilingual in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, or enjoy Asian films, series, and writers and focusing on listening and reading abilities that bring you joy.

If your personal aim is to enjoy Portuguese films, series, and documentaries, as well as to read works by Portuguese authors in their original language, being receptively bilingual is truly beneficial.

Nonetheless, if you aim to enhance your communication with your Portuguese-speaking family and friends, as well as visit Portuguese-speaking nations, it is advisable to focus on improving your speaking abilities.

Allow me to demonstrate how to conquer receptive bilingualism, enabling you to not only comprehend Portuguese flawlessly but also articulate it effectively.

Simple Strategies to Tackle Your Receptive Bilingualism

Conquer receptive bilingualism by applying these simple strategies in your everyday routine.

This is the initial and most crucial step... You must desire it in order to achieve it.

Consider why merely comprehending Portuguese is insufficient for you.

Are you distancing yourself from your homeland, your family, and your childhood companions? Would you like to travel or study in a nation where Portuguese is spoken? Or perhaps you wish to raise your own family to be bilingual and speak your parents’ language with your kids?

No matter what your objective is, it should be clear, brief, and inspiring. Jot it down in a place where you can view it daily, such as on your bathroom mirror or as the background on your device.

Recite Out Loud

It’s a comparable scenario to singing songs. Take a Portuguese book you enjoy and, rather than reading it silently to yourself, read it out loud. You are becoming accustomed to articulating intricate structures and sophisticated vocabulary.

Talk, Talk,and Talk

Talk as much as you are able. Visit environments where Portuguese is spoken and seek out speakers who communicate exclusively in Portuguese. Or demand that your family and friends communicate with you only in Portuguese. The use of language aids in the development of expressive language skills!

Begin sending voice messages in Portuguese to your family members instead of messaging them in English, for instance. Invent dialogues in your thoughts and practice constructing sentences in Portuguese.

Begin Speaking Portuguese Immediately

If you wish to stop repeating “I can understand Portuguese but cannot speak it,” simply start talking!

Given your understanding of the language, enhancing your speaking skills is certainly achievable.

Begin speaking Portuguese today!

Portuguese With Dina offers a 7-day free trial to our interactive European Portuguese course.

You won’t feel forced to memorize tiresome grammar rules. Instead, you’ll discover how to speak Portuguese naturally and with confidence.

We want learning new languages to be fun and interesting. Everything is like a story. This course is different from any other. Start learning Portuguese with Dina for free by clicking here.