[zenith2037]

Here's a thought from someone who's semi bi-lingual from a very young age. (Semi because I'm not completely fluent, but proficient.

Some people when speaking another language that's not native, will 'image' the english word when talking. Like, saying "ni hao" but in their mind it will be 'hello'.

However for people who've learned it from a young age, 'ni hao' is simply 'ni hao' and 'hello' is 'hello' but the meanings we recognize as the same. I don't remember the source to this, but take it as you will.

[llgrrl_]

That theory sounds bad, man. I'm an bi-lingual Asian from a relatively older age compared to you (10+) and have been living in the US for quite some time.

The 'imagine' part only happens when one is still relatively bad at the language that person is trying to speak. I wouldn't say that I 'imagine' or have any intermediate representation when I speak in English.