I agree that some problems are easier solved in different languages, the same way every polyglot shifts languages depending on what he is trying to convey; nevertheless I think this is actually a by product of context, not necessarily because of a necessity to use a language. I generally think of a broad idea and probably pseudocode (which can have any syntax I want or create on the fly) which then morphs into a programming language either as I express the complex idea or as I add detail to the scope of the solution.
Also, the joke does have a translation to English: "How do you call an elevator in Spanish?" "With your finger." Expressing yourself is a game of context and expressing an idea is not necessarily a verbatim translation from one language to another.
On another note, on the "to wait" and "to hope" comment, you are right depending on what mannerism the people around. I could very well say "tengo la esperanza de" is as much a Translation as "espero que". Again proof that context and semantics are more important than language choices themselves.
Also, the joke does have a translation to English: "How do you call an elevator in Spanish?" "With your finger." Expressing yourself is a game of context and expressing an idea is not necessarily a verbatim translation from one language to another.
On another note, on the "to wait" and "to hope" comment, you are right depending on what mannerism the people around. I could very well say "tengo la esperanza de" is as much a Translation as "espero que". Again proof that context and semantics are more important than language choices themselves.