A Working Definition of Fluency
People often ask the question, what does it mean to be fluent in a language? This can even be the end goal. Placing this importance on fluency makes us want to define it, and the most attractive definitions are those that are objective. Things we can measure. This may point us toward the CEFR proficiency levels or ask us to think of percentages that we understood.
I am here to say this does not make sense. Unfortunately. Even worse, the model I am going to present here is purely subjective.
To make the question of fluency as simple as possible I would ask two simple questions. “Can I understand them?” and “Can they understand me?” Do note that this varies wildly within our native languages! It can vary by topic, register, noise in the environment, relative ages of those speaking, and so much more.
New Levels of Fluency
Instead of saying I have “B2” comprehension or I understand 90% of what I hear, I am going to give 4 levels of fluency here. These can be applied to listening, speaking, writing or reading, but I will write them from the lens of listening.
Easy
I would have to actively try to not understand. It is so automatic that regardless of distortions in the audio, changes in register, code switching, topic, whatever, I will understand it unless I let the sound go in one ear and out the other.
Comfortable
With minimal to no effort, I will understand what is being said. I may miss some details at first blush, but will be able to unravel my confusion without disrupting my comprehension.
Uncomfortable
I understand, but it requires active effort. It is like a radio that does not completely work. Some stuff is crystal clear, some… isn't.
Incomprehensible
I do not understand.
An Example
For those wanting to consider this for a second, I invite you to listen to this excellent poyum. Where does it fall for you?
An Answer to the Question?
So what is the definition of fluency? If the speaker and listener are both comfortable, then the speaker is doing so fluently.
Now the real question, does the speaker have anything interesting to say?