Learning a second language = new identity?

This will be a much more personal, self-reflexive post on my part, so apologies in advance if this isn't of any interest to you all.

Last month I came across a blog post that hits pretty close to home. It is the crux of what this blog means to me, and my own sense of identity. This post by Professor Arturo Hernandez is thought-provoking, as it suggests that as we learn and take on a second language, we develop a new identity for ourselves.

I can't speak for anyone else but the fact that this blog is written in English despite that I am of Asian descent goes to show how much learning a second language can do. Prof. Hernandez also mentions diaries and writing them in the second language you're learning to have a better grasp of it.

Funnily enough, I write diaries in English too. I've kept one since I was nine.

I read more books in English than Mandarin. I'm equally fluent in both my mother tongue and English - though I do wish to relearn Mandarin because, as with anything, I've lost some of it as English took precedence.

In terms of having a completely new identity though, I'm not sure how much that is applicable to me. I feel that I adapt and adjust to people of different cultures well, but for the most part I still consider myself Asian - even if I don't know how Western or Asian I am at times.

I have these moments quite a bit, haha. (Pic from LOLSnaps)

So now I put the question out to you - are you learning, or speak, a second language? Do you think that you form a new identity as you understand, know, and speak more of that language?

If you're multi-lingual, then how is that like for you? Let me know via the comments below or tweets! :)