Native American, please Teach me English!?

Question

My first language is Japanese.

I've just asked this question,
Which term is more natulal,
I don't speak Chinese.
I can't speak Chinese.

Most British chose: I can't speak Chinese.

But to say the truth. I asked the same question in Yahoo USA before.

The American said the term: I can't speak Chinese is correct but not natural.
I don't speak Chinese. : is much more natural.

What do you think?????

This is really interesting and curious.
I like this kind of things. I wanna learn both American and British English.

Answer 1

Most of us would say "I don't speak Japanese." That's based on my own experience and observation.

I really don't know why we say don't in that context. I presume it's a case of a word having one use and becoming popular, as a matter of convenience, for other uses.

It might also be declaration of defiance, as in, "I only speak American, not some other languages!"

Oh, Native Americans covers a narrow set of peoples in America. All lawful citizens, including American Indians (Native Americans), are American, but usually the American Indians get the moniker of "Native American."

Answer 2

Either one would get the point across, can't meaning that you can not speak Chinese and don't meaning that you do not speak Chinese(both are about the same) If you would really like to know the correct way to say it then it would be I do not speak Chinese or I can not speak Chinese. Don't and Can't are not proper English, they are contractions which people have used to push 2 words together because they are too lazy to use the proper words. In this day and age in America, anything goes!! When I was in school half of the words that exist today where not acceptable in the English language, they were referred to as "slang," but America being what it is the people change words whenever they want and the other idiots just follow along like little puppies. Believe me if you want to speak proper English it is much better to learn it from the British because they are taught to use proper English and the Americans have no clue as to what "proper English" means, as they are all ignorant and this is coming from a woman born and raised in America.

Answer 3

Both sentences are correct, but mean different things:

"I don't speak Chinese" implies a choice is being made. The speaker either doesn't know Chinese because he hasn't chosen to learn it, or it could also mean that he knows Chinese, but will not speak it because he chooses not to. "I don't eat strawberries" because I don't like them and have chosen not to eat them.

"I can't speak Chinese" implies that there is no ability whether the speaker would like to speak it or not. The speaker does not know Chinese. "I can't eat strawberries" because I am allergic to them and I would die.

I am a native speaker of American English

Answer 4

I would say that either is ok and sound perfectly natural to me; however "I can't: sounds very negetive. I don't sounds like you don't but it would be possible if you tried. I think that we get this from the french influence. French think that I can't sounds very negetive.

Let me correct some grammar for you
British people
to tell the truth; to say the truth means you say the words "the truth"
An American
This is really interesting and I am curious(the question is not curious)
I like these kind of things

Answer 5

Chinese and Japanese, are from two different Nationality, But most English speaking person belive that, Japanese, Chines,
Korian, Filipino, and others all speak Chinese, don't let that bother you, keep on going you are doing great. You can learn as much language you want to.

Answer 6

I can't = says you lack the knowledge and/or the ability.

I don't = says you do not speak it, but the phrase fails to give a reason. It could mean that you speak it but for that moment you just don't FEEL like speaking Chinese.

Answer 7

a Native American is someone who speaks Cheyene or Sioux, certainly not English!

"I don't speak Chinese" implies that you could learn it and speak it if you wanted.
I can't speak Chinese" suggests that to me you have something wrong with you and are unable to learn a foreign language.

Answer 8

they're both correct. but doesn't have the same exact meaning.

I can't speak chinese is when u are not capable of speaking chinese.

I don't speak chinese is when you may be able to speak chinese but rather not use is or don't use it.

i think.. well at least that's what i think.. hehehehe

Answer 9

Don't worry about it.Half of us on both sides of the ocean don't have it right yet.We should be asking you how to speak your language.