This is definitely a bit of a stupid question… but methinks this happens to a good number of immigrants. Asking because there is a bit of a funny philosophical debate here:
- Technically the second language is not “native” by virtue of you not growing up with it
- But you speak it better than your native language, so skill-wise it is “native”
So do you have “native” language skills, or would you consider yourself simply highly “fluent” at the second language?
English is my second language and also my best language. I like to joke that “English isn’t my first language” when I say something silly - always good for an eyeroll from my spouse. But generally, I consider English my best language and my first language as my first/native language, I guess.