Man wakes up from surgery speaking another language fluently

Reference TimelineLast updated JAN 26
SUMMARY

Stephen Chase, a man from Utah, first experienced waking up from surgery speaking fluent Spanish at age 19, despite only having minimal prior knowledge of the language. This phenomenon, attributed to Foreign Language Syndrome (FLS), has recurred after every subsequent surgery he has undergone. Doctors believe it is a rare neurological condition. Chase is currently in his early 30s and continues to experience these temporary language switches after surgical procedures.

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December 2025 — 1 developments

  1. A separate case of Foreign Language Syndrome has been reported in the Netherlands, where a 17-year-o…

    A separate case of Foreign Language Syndrome has been reported in the Netherlands, where a 17-year-old boy woke up from knee surgery speaking only English and unable to speak his native Dutch. This case, also linked to FLS, left doctors baffled.