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TEXAS Posted 23 years ago
Culture
Spot a non-native speaker!
This might be a strange topic, but let see how it comes out. I know English as a second language and not surprisingly, people can detect that even from my written work. Just the other day I was having a chat at a foreign message board, when a person came by claiming that she’s an Irish and wants to talk to us (in English). What was funny though, is that her way of expressing her self in English didn’t really sound like that of a native speaker. I challenged her on that, but people (who could speak even less English than I do) don’t seem to agree with me. I thought, why don’t I post some of those examples among native English speakers and see what they think. Can you help me?
Here’s some examples of the Irish girl (ignore the spelling mistakes, just the sentence structure):
"…and that is why my dear friends that I am joining you in the English chatroom because I do not understand basically anything on the other chatrooms
). I live in Belgium and I am taking classes starting from September. I just joined this site today and I am shocked at some of the English on here. I mean, what planet are some of you coming from? This chatroom needs some spice added to it. Anyone got any ideas? If not, I have got loads.
I know I am English mother tongue and most of you are probably foriners on here and it is easier for me. I do not want to take over your chatroom but folks English is thee international language of communication and it should be used properly. I just want you to use good English, thats all. Leann, I am waiting on your reply) Anybody want to play, name that tune? "
Here’s some examples of the Irish girl (ignore the spelling mistakes, just the sentence structure):
"…and that is why my dear friends that I am joining you in the English chatroom because I do not understand basically anything on the other chatrooms
). I live in Belgium and I am taking classes starting from September. I just joined this site today and I am shocked at some of the English on here. I mean, what planet are some of you coming from? This chatroom needs some spice added to it. Anyone got any ideas? If not, I have got loads.I know I am English mother tongue and most of you are probably foriners on here and it is easier for me. I do not want to take over your chatroom but folks English is thee international language of communication and it should be used properly. I just want you to use good English, thats all. Leann, I am waiting on your reply
) Anybody want to play, name that tune? "Top answer
This person speaks very well. Maybe someone who lived in Ireland (or another country) for a number of years but still with the odd mistake here and there. There are not many mistakes but they are there.
- This person speaks very well.
- Maybe someone who lived in Ireland (or another country) for a number of years but still with the odd mistake here and there.
- There are not many mistakes but they are there.
- Uses idioms in the correct way.
- You must also remember that even native speakers make mistakes, some more than others.
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23 Answers
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This person speaks very well. Maybe someone who lived in Ireland (or another country) for a number of years but still with the odd mistake here and there. There are not many mistakes but they are there. Uses idioms in the correct way.
You must also remember that even native speakers make mistakes, some more than others. If you look at some of my posts, every now and then a wrongly used
You must also remember that even native speakers make mistakes, some more than others. If you look at some of my posts, every now and then a wrongly used
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Thanks Woodward for your post. Yes, undoubtedly she speak English very well, but what would you identify as the unmistakable evidence that English is not her native tongue? That is what 'm struggling with, I see that it doesn't sound right as a whole, but picking out the pieces is harder..
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Texas, yes.. I would guess that she wasn't a native speaker; but as WW said her English isn't bad at all.
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You're looking for evidence? Well, here are a few things that sound wrong to my ears:
1. "... that is why my dear friends that..." First of all, there should be commas around "my dear friends." But then, lots of native speakers have comma issues, unfortunately, so that doesn't mean anything, and neither do any of her other comma mistakes. But the "that" at the end is silly. Perhaps she was t
1. "... that is why my dear friends that..." First of all, there should be commas around "my dear friends." But then, lots of native speakers have comma issues, unfortunately, so that doesn't mean anything, and neither do any of her other comma mistakes. But the "that" at the end is silly. Perhaps she was t
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Well i would say that even native speakers have spelling mistakes,i have seen many foreigners who misspell words and some have difficulty in grammar as well.Plzzzz moderaters and the other users please always correct me when i have written wrong spelling or grammar.
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There seems to be some confusion here. As a native English speaker (I was born and educated in England) and having been a teacher of English for many years, I can say that there is no doubt in my mind that the quoted words were written by a native English speaker.
Please remember that not all native English speakers speak or write perfect English, and everyone has their own ways of expr
Please remember that not all native English speakers speak or write perfect English, and everyone has their own ways of expr
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That's what I said in the first reply. That even native speakers make mistakes and of course they speak English in Ireland (and Gaelic too isn't it?). The person's attitude is another matter that I don't like at all. Pure Arrogance.
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