People tend to think if you are from a certain country, you are a native speaker of the language/s used in that country. Example: Americans--> You must be a Native English speaker.
But that's stupid cause some of us don't even speak anything. Some of us are shy, antisocial and never open our mouths. I don't. Im' 27, and i suck at speaking . I've never had friends or anyone to discuss topics at length, so i don't speak and i don't know how to speak. So,
When people ask "What's your mother tongue?" .. or "Are you a native speaker?"... Those questions make me angry. Why do we have to be natives of anything.
So, i usually say "I'm speak nothing" and people are puzzled.
2007-02-09 06:43:25 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Native speaker refers to someone who speaks his own 'mother tongue' or dialect. E.g if you are of Hispanic/Spanish origin and are well versed in Spanish, then U are considered a native speaker, especially since Spanish is the first-language in South America and Spain. Same goes for other languages.
2007-02-09 23:49:02 · answer #1 · answered by Blue Suede Shoes 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term native speaker has a linguistic point. it means, you as a native speaker understand the language, have a certain pronunciation for a certain place you live, and can speak as well. you can't be angry of the fact you are native of something. we all have roots anyway.
For instance my English is not so bad, but i am not a native speaker and every day i am asked the questions you hate about 5 times a day at least when i am at work.
So, i think there is nothing to be angry about
2007-02-09 14:55:03 · answer #2 · answered by snowdrop 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
But you do use language. You are able to speak enough to say "I speak nothing". And you were certainly able to use language enough to write this question. So you are a "speaker" of English.
2007-02-10 00:10:12 · answer #3 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋