reading in a foreign language deepens understanding and provokes thinking

I read books in two languages: Chinese and English. My overall reading experience in English has been very different from that in Chinese. A lot of the times I feel that I simply understand things better when reading the same idea in English, instead of my mother tongue. It seems to be quite a paradox because, assuming the content express the same idea, I'm supposed to comprehend everything much better in the language that I'm way more fluent, sensible and comfort in.

Of course, there can be a number of obvious explanations for this, such as...

(1). English is a "better" language, in the sense that it is simple and straightforward language. Or as linguists put it, it's a low-context language. This means it is easier to express ideas with clarity.

(2). There are also more great writers who contributes to the enormous pool of English contents. Admittedly, the world's most influential writers and thinkers express themselves (or at least get their work translated timely) in English more than any other language in the world.

But recently I have come to a third and curious explanation that this "English is better" perception is simply because English is my second language. Can one expect to benefit more from reading in his/her second language when the same content is available in his/her first language? Well, here I'm saying, the answer is probably yes...

First, because English embodies patterns of thinking that are so different from Chinese, I am constantly adventuring on new lands when reading in English. In other words, it stretches my brain by making it do new things. This is similar to how you would feel genuinely refreshed and delighted when occasionally writing with your less-used hand. Because your brain is functioning on a different mode, it becomes more active, creative, and joyful.

Second, reading speed is a factor. Truth is, I'm so much more fluent and comfortable with my mother tongue that I can browse over a line without really stopping to ponder what's really behind the words. In English, on the other hand, I am force to make stops all the way, trying to make sense to the phrases and sentences, and naturally giving more thoughts on the points that the author is trying to make. That leads to a more solid and lasting understanding.