Is it appropriate to assume that a writer is a non-native (English) speaker based on their writing alone?

Question

My neighbor enrolled in a graduate level online course, and has never met the instructor. After reading his first paper, the instructor has made an assumption that he was not a native (English) speaker simply because his essay was written poorly (it had prose problems). The instructor wrote to him and said this, along with a suggestion he seek out a writing tutor.

Now I can understand suggesting a tutor, but I can not understand how a person can be labeled ESL versus native-English based on poor writing skills.

Answer 1

That is completely inappropriate. English is my third language and I'm better at it than most native speakers in the US. I will admit I sometimes have to ask what a word means or have difficulty spelling something - but that's not always a good way to judge exactly where it is I originated or what my first language happens to be. Alll that means is that sometimes my English sucks. I think that kind of thing happens to native English speakers as well, no?

~Morg~

Answer 2

Depending on the particular errors the person makes, yes, there are times when a writing sample can clearly indicate a non-native writer. In particular, native speakers rarely make errors of count vs. noncount (I need some informations) or of aspect (I am vs I am being/I was vs I have been) and less often than non-native speakers make errors of which prepositions belong with which verb.

Note that this is NOT to say that all non-native speakers make these or indeed any errors, just that few native speakers do. And there are plenty of ways in which native speakers can be bad writers.

So to answer your question, yes, it can be possible to tell from a writing sample that someone is ESL, but not everyone can do it.

Answer 3

It must have been so poorly written, the teacher assumed the only possible explanation had to be that English was not his first language.

Frankly, I agree with the first answer. I have encountered many kids who graduated from high-school and can barely read or write. Just take a look at some of the postings here...

Answer 4

You're right - it isn't a good idea to make assumptions about someone based on their writing. If a person has been accepted to graduate school, they should be able to express themselves clearly in writen form. With ESL writers, I'd think the concepts would be well formed - but there would be gramatical issues in regards to word choice, tense and such.

Sadly, many people have poor writing skills in this day and age. It sounds like your neighbor could use support with proofing and revising his work.

Answer 5

If you look at the amount of errors posted here by native speakers you would agree that the assumption of that instructor was not according to reality.

Answer 6

Given the poorly written papers that cross my desk everyday I would say that the professor jumped the gun on his assumption. I know of many people who are supposedly native English speakers that can't string together a coherant sentence.

Answer 7

'Appropriate',along with 'supportive' etc.,is an overused word.Strictly for the unimaginative.Ironically,your english is fairly dull.
I loathe try-hards.They are legion.