Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nagatos]

Hi,

I know other countries people don't care about 'native.'
However, I was told from some Americans that the word 'NATIVE' sometimes reminds 'Native-American' in the US, so people sometimes wonder about the word, it give Americans some confusing.
But some American say that 'I don't care that phrase and I don't imagine native Americans at all.'

I saw Americans somtimes use the word, a native English spekear, or a native speaker of English (Japanese people often say in this way.)

I'm wondering how do Americans feel when they hear 'a native English spekear' or 'a native speaker of English'

This sometimes calls argument in Japanese English learners.
I appriciate your comments or suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

[Corey]

I'm not sure I understand, but my 2 cents ....

In Canada "native English speaker" means a person who has English as a first language.

"Native" means a person who is aboriginal (usually).

I hope this helps.

Corey
http://english.abcingles.net
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[obelix]

Most of the "native" people consider themselves to be members of a specific "nation" in Canada and the USA. They are Apache, Sioux, Ojibway, etc.. They used to be referred to as "Indians" which may be considered rude nowadays but in any case confuses the listener because of the nationals of the great nation of India, who rejoice in that name.
As political correctness blossoms, what yesterday, was considered the "correct" word, is often itself replaced by another even more sensitive word, until that too then becomes far too awful to bear. as can be seen by the example of the black Americans who have been referred to, since the original, now considered pejorative, "negroes", to "colored", then "black" through the pretentious, "people of color" to the currently acceptable "African-American".
I guess the idea is to keep the majority off-balance.

[jj]

Hopefully this will directly answer your question:

There is nothing wrong or offensive in saying "native English speaker" or "native speaker of English." Both are correct. The phrase "Native American" is the polite phrase for people who are "American Indian." But only that exact phrase - "Native American" - means "American Indian." So don't worry about using "native English speaker" or "native speaker of English." These mean someone who speaks English as their first language, and it is perfectly correct.

Thanks for taking the time to try to understand this confusing topic!