"I want to speak like a native speaker" part 2
What is a native speaker and is it necessary to speak like one?
Hello!
Last week I wrote about how English learners often say, “I want to speak like a native speaker.” Then I talked about how native speakers aren’t always the best communicators and how you should focus on good communication skills, not on trying to speak like a native speaker. If you missed it, you can read it here:
Now let’s look at some things I’ve been talking about with my Facebook followers.
1. What is a native speaker?
The Cambridge Dictionary says a native speaker is “someone who has spoken a particular language since they were a baby, rather than having learned it as a child or adult.” So:
Is a native speaker of English a person who was born in England?
Not always. England is not the only country where you can find native speakers. People who are born in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and so on are native speakers too.
But isn’t British English the original English?
English is changing all the time so the English we speak today is very different from the English we spoke hundreds of years ago. When British people first went to live in America (for example) they spoke British English. Then the language changed (over many years) into what we now call American English. But British English changed a lot too so we can’t really call it “the original English” any more. And anyway, English comes from Latin, French and Germanic languages so what’s the original language?!
Can you be a native speaker if you grow up in a non-English-speaking country?
Yes. Most native speakers are born in an English-speaking country but this isn’t always true. It’s more about the language (or languages) spoken in your home when you’re growing up. For example, my father was born in South Africa, in an area where Afrikaans was the main language. His parents were English and they spoke English at home. They moved back to the UK when Dad was a child. He’s a native speaker.
So native speakers of English are white people who grew up speaking English?
No! Absolutely not! It’s not about the colour of a person’s skin. It’s about their first language. Almost 20% of British people are not white. I think the percentage is higher in the USA. Anyone who grows up speaking English as their first language is a native speaker of English, regardless of the colour of their skin.
2. Is it necessary to speak like a native speaker?
In my opinion, the answer is “no”, unless you want to be an actor or an international spy! Let me explain why.
It’s OK to be yourself and you don’t need to sound like a native speaker. Your accent is a part of your identity and you don’t need to change it.
All native speakers speak differently anyway. There are different accents and many differences between one region and another.
If you speak English with a French, Japanese or Turkish accent (or whatever accent you have), that’s fine as long as people can understand you. You just need to focus on speaking clearly and working on any sounds which are difficult for you. Clear pronunciation is important. Your accent is not.
I know that some people are judged on their accent, unfortunately. I wish this were different. All I can suggest is to try not to let judgemental people upset you. We can’t change the world overnight but maybe we can all play a tiny part in changing this attitude.
Trying to speak like a native speaker is an unrealistic goal for most people. You might never learn the accent or learn all the idioms. But don’t worry about that because it isn’t necessary. You can still communicate extremely well, even if you make a few mistakes, forget a word or have an accent. Focus on good communication, not on trying to achieve an impossible goal.
It absolutely IS possible for a non-native speaker to become fluent in English! It takes time and effort but it’s definitely achievable if you work hard and practise a lot.
Remember that native speakers make mistakes too. Nobody speaks perfect English all the time.
What are your goals for learning English? If you want to live and work in an English-speaking country, or if you want to understand British or American TV, then it makes sense for you to learn the local idioms and slang. But for most learners, there are more important things to focus on, like fluency, vocabulary and grammar.
But if your goal is international communication, you should focus on English that is internationally understood. After all, there are only 370 million native speakers of English in the world but there are maybe a billion non-native speakers of English.
3. Tip of the week: use it or lose it
You have to use what you learn or you will forget it. When you learn a new word or grammar point, try to use it when you speak and write. Remember to keep practising and using the new language!
Think about how much time (and maybe money) you have spent learning English! Wouldn't it be sad if you forgot everything?! Keep practising and you will remember it! Read, watch movies, listen to podcasts, write a journal, and chat with friends in English.
Go to www.learnenglishwithkatie.co.uk/blog/dont-forget-your-english for more information on how to remember what you learn.
Thanks for reading and see you next week!
Katie
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Very great full explain and it's crystal clear that mentioned above lesson. Thank you teacher.