Which Language is Best for talking to LLMs

Why English Might Be the Best Way

English is often seen as the default for writing prompts, especially in tech and AI, and there are some solid reasons for that:

AI Performs Best in English: Most AI models, like me, are trained on massive amounts of English data. This means we’re usually more accurate, detailed, and nuanced when you use English. If you want the sharpest response possible, English often delivers.

Great for Technical or Global Topics: If you’re asking about something complex—like coding, science, or business—English tends to shine.

AI models have seen more technical terms and concepts in English, so you’re likely to get a more precise answer. Plus, if you’re sharing your prompt with people worldwide, English is the universal bridge.

Tons of Resources: Want to learn how to write better prompts? Most guides, examples, and tutorials online are in English. It’s easier to find help or tweak your approach when you’re working in that language.

So, English is a strong choice if you’re after accuracy, technical depth, or global reach.

Why Your Mother Language Could Be Better

On the flip side, using your mother language has its own unique advantages that English can’t always match:

It Feels Natural: Your mother tongue is how you think and express yourself most comfortably. Writing prompts in it can feel effortless—you’re not wrestling with unfamiliar words or grammar. That comfort can make your prompts clearer and truer to what you mean.

Perfect for Cultural Stuff: If you’re asking about something tied to your culture—like a local tradition, a family story, or even slang—your mother language captures the vibe better. AI models are getting good at handling different languages, so you might get a reply that really gets the context.

Makes AI Accessible: Not everyone’s fluent in English. If you or the people you’re helping aren’t comfy with it, using your mother language opens the door to AI for more folks. It’s about inclusion and keeping things local.

For personal, emotional, or cultural topics, your mother language can feel like the best fit.

What About the Practical Side?

Here’s where it gets real: the “best” choice depends on a couple of key factors.

How Good Is the AI in Your Language?: While English usually gets top-notch results because of all that training data, many AI models support other languages too. If your mother language is one of them, you might be golden—but if it’s less common or underrepresented, the answers might not be as sharp.

What Are You Asking?: For simple stuff—like a recipe or a quick fact—your mother language works just fine, and it’s more comfy. But for tricky, technical, or creative tasks, English might give you an edge because of how AI is built.

So, When Should You Use Each?

Here’s a quick guide to help you pick:

Go with English if:

You’re tackling something technical or specialized (think programming or research).

You need a super-detailed, accurate response.

You’re sharing your prompt with a global crowd.

Stick to your mother language if:

It’s about something personal or cultural (like a local dish or a tradition).

You want to feel at ease and express yourself naturally.

You’re helping someone who doesn’t speak English well.

My Take: It’s All About Context

Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all here. If you’re fluent in both, you’ve got the luxury of switching based on what you need.

For technical or global vibes, English is your friend. For cultural depth or personal ease, your mother language rocks. Not sure?

Try writing the same prompt both ways and see which response you like better—it’s a fun little experiment!

What do you think?

Does this match your experience, or is there a specific situation you’re curious about? Let’s keep the discussion going!