1) How many? 2, English and Spanish
2) What do you use them for? English I use every day, I live in America, it is my first language. Spanish I use to communiate with my in-laws mostly, and whenever it is handy in business, sometimes to help someone who is struggling with Engish, or to bond with a Spanish speaking person who lives or is visiting in the US.
3) Of those that you know how to speak, which one is your favourite and why? I like them both. I wish my Spanish was better, I still make quite a few mistakes, but can get my point across pretty well, as long as it is not a very serious conversation that needs to be handled well. Very emotional or technical topics are a little sketchy for me, because mistakes can mean someone is offended or gets improper information.
4) Have you ever been given preferential treatment in any way just because you could speak more than one language? Not sure? I don’t think so. My husband, who is fully bilingual, has had more career opportunities, because of his language skills.
5) Do you think that knowing more than language is nowadays an advantage? BIG advantage. Knowing a second language opens up a whole world that people who are not bilingual would not probably understand. Being able to communicate with people in their language somehow also gives insights to their culture, their emotion. Plus, once you know a second language you are more daring to try others. When I travel I will attempt to communicate in other languages just with a Berlitz book in hand. You also understand how many things do not directly translate, how things can get lost in translation, and you are more patient with people who speak English as a second language (ESL). Even people who are fully bilingual, but are ESL, may say something that comes out wrong, and if you are familiar with their first language you are more likely to understand their intent better, or where a logical mistake may have been made.