Is this a good or bad idea?

[everlastinghistory]

One of the people I plan on writing a note to isn't a native English speaker. Her native language is French. French is my second language. While she does speak fluent English I feel like reading something like a suicide note in her native language would just be more practical. However I've seen a lot of people say you can't express emotions properly in your second language so I'm really not sure this is such a good idea. I want to do it. But I'm afraid I won't be able to properly convey what I feel.

I feel like I should be asking this in a community about languages but then I wouldn't be able to provide context so while it's slightly out of place here… It'd be even more out of place elsewhere.

 

[LookingOverTheEdge]

I think that it's a lovely idea and that you're showing great thoughtfulness, but I can definitely see the difficulty. Perhaps someone on here could help?

 

[disorder]

hello. in my opinion you should be the one comfortable writing in the language you choose as your intention is to express your emotions and all you are feeling and thinking. i think your friend won't have any problem with reading it in english as she is fluent with it (though i don't know her so idk if it would be a big deal though)

i hope you find peace with your decision

 

[peacetime]

I don't think it matters that much either way. Writing it in French might convey that you put effort into it because you care about them and wanted to do it in their first language?
But in the end it's more about what you write in the note, that's all that really matters.

 

[WhiteRabbit]

If someone were to write me a suicide note I'd like them to be able to fully express themselves, even if it wasn't in my native language. If she can read English well, write in English.

 

[lionetta12]

One of the people I plan on writing a note to isn't a native English speaker. Her native language is French. French is my second language. While she does speak fluent English I feel like reading something like a suicide note in her native language would just be more practical. However I've seen a lot of people say you can't express emotions properly in your second language so I'm really not sure this is such a good idea. I want to do it. But I'm afraid I won't be able to properly convey what I feel.

I feel like I should be asking this in a community about languages but then I wouldn't be able to provide context so while it's slightly out of place here… It'd be even more out of place elsewhere.

Might be a lot of work, but I'm writing all my letters in my native language and also an english version for every letter so I write the same letters but 2 exact versions, just different languages, same wording and context really.

 

[BGooG]

When working across multiple languages, production is always more difficult than reception. As such, other aspects being equal, you will likely have a harder time properly expressing yourself in your second language than someone would experience in properly understanding you in their second language.

Lots of words to say you should write in the context in which you are most comfortable and can best express yourself.

 

[jessisme]

You could always write both.