What constitutes a ‘native English speaker’?

Question

I have an Asian friend whose first language is English. But when he came to Australia, he’s been getting ‘compliments’ like “you know more about my language than I do.” It does seem like a compliment, but to my friend, English IS his language. He was born and breed with it.

When will someone who isn’t Caucasian or come from an English speaking country ever be called a ‘native English speaker’? When will English really be a ‘global’ language?

http://www.englishforums.com/English/WouldDefineNativeSpeakerEnglish/xwmc/Post.htm

Answer 1

Hey Akmal,

Look, your friend speaks english as his mother tongue, so he is a native speaker. He just needs to be prepared that there will be some people whom think differnetly based upon his colour. Lets face it, I speak some Asian languages, but I will never be an Asian will I ? and I dont get offended by it either. Its the way of the world pal, you cannot force people to think or act in a certain way, to suit you, they will always do what they want to do and think how they want to think, and so long as it does not affect your routine way of life, hell dont worry about it. And yes English is more or less Global.

Answer 2

I guess people are responding not only to the fact that your friend looks Asian, but that his speech is not typically Australian. He may have an accent which would not be familiar to people as that of a native-speake. I mean, if I'd never met an Australian before, never heard one, I suppose when I did I might not be sure if their accent was really that of a foreign language.

Anyway, I'm sure your friend will soon find his speech adjusting to fit in more (it's a natural process for most people), and as people come to know him more, they will listen more to what he says rather than how he says it.

When people say that he knows the language better than them, this is probably a reflection of a more traditional type of education, which emphasises "correct" grammar, over the more relaxed style which has become normal in most English speaking countries.

Answer 3

I completely understand your question. It seems like being a native speaker of a language is an intuitive concept, but it's actually very difficult to define. It just goes to show that sometimes the appearance of the speaker affects people's opinion of the language coming out of his/her mouth.

Answer 4

it must be the two. i might want from nevertheless. the cyber web is a sparkling element so it incredibly is not any longer precisely distinguishable to assert on. it would be like status on line. Are you on line or in line? Are you on the bus once you're interior the bus? you will come throughout the time of slightly those. there are multiple tricks you should observe out for with English. It surely is that way for French too which I study.

Answer 5

well i am asian n my 1st language woz an indian language bt i can speak,read and write english fluently coz i av lived in London 4 most of my life bt most people would sai dat coz 4 dem ur m8 is asian n mayb dey dnt realiz coz if u saw sum1 asian or ne culture 4 dat matta u wud fink dey speak their language n mayb learnt english so u cant blame pple bt in a wai dey shudnt du dat coz english iz a global language...

Answer 6

One is a native speaker if it is the first language they learned and they have used it as their primary language. It has nothing to do with their appearance.

Answer 7

born in a native country