10.09.2025
Many language learners face this problem sooner or later: once they’ve learned the language well enough to start speaking it, the natives - rather than bursting with excitement and engaging in the conversation - switch to English. Let’s take German as an example, though it could be any other language.
So, why?
Conspiracy? Did they all get a secret order: Do NOT speak German with him?
Bad will? Maybe they dislike me?
Envy? They just want to stop me from having some success!
Greed? They just want to practice English - at my cost!
Probably none of these (though I wouldn’t completely exclude conspiracy; I mean, just look at the facts ...).
I think there’s a simpler explanation: the principle of communication cost minimization.
Communication is often about conveying information. Yes, it can also be about entertainment and connection, but let’s focus on information. We naturally strive for the shortest, cheapest, and most convenient way to communicate. Paper letters may be romantic and a beautiful tradition, but usually we just send a message on a smartphone.
Imagine this. You’re an American who learned German to a B1 or even B2 level; you’re a native English speaker (C2 level). You’re talking to a German who is C2 in German and C1 in English. So the choice is either English (C2 & C1) or German (B2 & C2). Without any conspiracy or personal issues, it’s simply faster, more convenient, and more reliable to communicate in English.
Of course, your motivation is not only to communicate, but also to learn the language, understand the culture, maybe even show off a little. This personal benefit outweighs the extra cost of less efficient communication. But what’s the benefit for the native speaker? Promoting their beautiful culture? If that matters to them, they already pay taxes for the Goethe-Institut—let the professionals handle it.
Let’s visualize such a situation. Imagine ordering coffee:
- “Guten Tag. Ich will das eine schwarzer Kaffee.” (“Hello, I want black coffee”—said in a broken way).
The German barista hears a phrase with a strong accent, a couple of mistakes, and some mispronunciation on top.
What might his past experience have been? Maybe he asked back:
- “Für hier oder zum Mitnehmen?” (“For here or to take away?”)
And the foreigner didn’t understand, just replied “Ja.” (“Yes” - but yes to what?).
Meanwhile, other customers are waiting impatiently in line, checking the time on their phones.
Once or twice, he may even have had to exchange an Americano for a Cappuccino due to a misunderstanding.
Maybe you would ace this dialogue - and I’m sure you would - but most learners before you didn’t.
Well, maybe you would ace this dialogue, I'm sure you would, but the ones before you, who sounded like you (and even looked like you), just didn’t.
So what would you do in his place, after all?
Exactly: switch to English.
An "obvious" solution is "just learn it up to C1" level then the comms costs minimization works in your favour. However, it sounds like "let them eat cake" solution to hunger.
Well, it's hard to achieve C1 level if you hadn't some real life conversations practice at B1 and B2 levels.
There are, however, a few other options:
- If you join a group conversation (say, you plus three natives), the cost balance shifts. Switching to English means C1+C1+C1+C2, but staying in German means C2+C2+C2+B2. That balance looks a bit better.
- If you join a conversation where the main goal is not information exchange but entertainment, fun, flirt, or a shared hobby, the “cost” of your weaker German drops—and the group is more likely to stick with it.
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