Fluent in multiple languages - Switch over time?

Question

Hello everyone,
I am fluent in multiple languages. English is one of them. Still working hard on my native level English, but that's still far away. Anyway, as many of you may know of personal experience, there is a certain switch time required when switching from one to another language. It is fairly low in terms of comprehension. Mostly instant when it is clear English. But takes up to a minute when hearing something more exotic like a cockney dialect. When switching to speaking English, it can take up to 5 minutes until I am able to correctly pronouce my words fluently.

My question is actually quite simple. Is there some specific term describing this phenomen? And is switch over time used to meassure ability in professional utilisation of foreign languages?

Answer 1

I think it must be just an individual variation. I haven't experienced what you call "switch-over" time, but it's probably because I use both of my main languages professionally on a daily basis. With the others, although I sometimes grope for vocabulary, there doesn't seem to be a pronunciation lag.

Answer 2

Boh? Four languages.

Answer 3

Oh, I would be proud if I could have your problem... ;o)