Two Personalities

October 11th, 2024

Just two, not multiple or split personalities, just two tiny personalities. I swear. I mean, that is what I am aware of. Just those two. I guess two is better than one, right? So I really don't have anything to worry about, right? And no, I am not crazy at all, just a guy with two personalities and a full awareness of them.

I know that it is quite common to have two distinct personalities for those who are bilingual (or more lingual). Each one is based on the currently used and spoken language and changes seamlessly with the change of the said language. I am surprised though in a way those two appear in me and how they struggle with each other for control over me.

With one — I am more timid, more polite, more self-aware, more quiet, more withdrawn, more shy, more prone to dogmatism, more prone to questioning myself, more prone to not believing in myself, and much, much quicker to anger and despondency.

With the other — I am more outgoing, more open and in-your-face honest, more talkative, more confident in all I do and in all my interactions with others, more enthusiastic, more believing in myself, more ready for action, and much more prone to laughter and humor.

Don't get me wrong — I can be shy or confident in both languages and personalities, but those qualities are more pronounced in a particular one. I can see that difference the moment I switch between languages. I do not need to do anything consciously — one or the other personality takes over without any fuss.

I quite like that.