
Stephen Chase, 33, says he mysteriously starts speaking fluent Spanish every time he comes out of surgery, even though he previously only had a basic understanding of the language.
Even common surgeries can be nerve-wracking. The process often involves a lot of waiting, and recovering afterward can actually be the most challenging part.
It’s become a viral trend to see videos of patients waking up after surgery, often after receiving strong pain medication. These patients sometimes reveal personal secrets or even fabricate stories while still groggy.
Stephen Case, a father in Utah, experienced a strange side effect after surgery: he temporarily began speaking Spanish. He’s not alone – around 100 similar cases have been confirmed.
American speaks fluent Spanish after every surgery
That’s right, every time Chase goes under the knife for a surgery, he wakes up speaking Spanish.
He explained to Kennedy News and Media that ever since he turned 19, he’s consistently woken up from surgery speaking Spanish. Nurses have reported asking him post-operative questions like how he’s feeling or if he’s in pain, and he always responds in Spanish.
So, I used to take Spanish in high school, but I was pretty basic – definitely not fluent. But I’ve been practicing a lot lately, and now I feel like I can actually speak it like a native speaker. It’s been a huge improvement!
Growing up, Chase often heard Spanish spoken around him. He explained that he spent a lot of time at his best friend’s house, and his friend’s parents frequently spoke Spanish. Although he didn’t understand what they were saying, he was constantly exposed to the language.

According to LadBible, Chase has a condition called Foreign Language Syndrome, where people temporarily start speaking in a different language or with a different accent – sometimes for just a few minutes, or up to a few hours. In Chase’s case, this usually passes within an hour.
Several things can cause it, such as a head injury, significant stress, or the effects of anesthesia after an operation.
“Now I tell people that I tend to wake up speaking Spanish so they’re prepared,” he added.
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2026-01-15 14:20