Samuel
Are native English speakers arrogant?
EDIT: please read all comments if you'd like more clarification as more is explained as comments were made.
There's been a bit of a trend I've noticed here, and elsewhere, where native English speakers seem to have an air of arrogance when they chime in to help non-native English speakers with the English language.
I know that at first glance it seems to stand to reason that a "Native speaker" should know better, but when you think about it critically, it doesn't make any sense to think that, based on "Nativity" as native speakers by-and-large aren't taught the "proper" English in schools before they learn it "Naturally" at home.
Many end up knowing basic, localised English without even knowing the rules to the language but rather "feeling" the rules like as when someone says "I don't know why, but option A sounds more correct to me"
So evidently, Nativity does not merit authority on the matter in itself
yet many Native English speakers seem to believe so, especially when they announce the fact that are "Native English Speakers" as if it should mean something.
It's not a badge nor a seal of authority, it's merely self appointing.
I also notice that Native English speakers do something else now, announcing their particular "denomination" of English speaker i.e. "As an American English Speaker we say..."
Personally I find that although this is an attempt to not over-represent English speakers as a whole by narrowing it down to regional English, It still can seem as though the person saying this is trying to establish themselves as some sort of "representative" of their entire region.
It's also about the choice of words we use.
whereas one could have said:
1) "Here in the US, as far as I've seen, it's not common to hear that phrase, it's a bit old fashioned"
Instead one says something like:
2) "Here in the US that is never said, unless you're trying to sound old fashioned"
It seems English Natives are arrogant and self entitled.
What do you think?
7. Juni 2019 11:33
Kommentare · 26
10
I just think English or American guys are tired to listen others' requests to help.
I am not native, my department is about teaching and I know how teaching is hard. Some dudes want me to teach Turkish or English(although my English is poor) to them but it is incredibly difficult on social media, or in real life. So how can a simple native teach his/her own language while does not have any certificate or belief which can give small supporting to teach?
I do not see arrogant, I see... they are tired to listen demands, expectations or they just do not want to help anybody because teaching wants to huge time.
Also, there are lots of English speaker natively. We can not generalise them in one shape. Some people are arrogant, some are not. It is not about the language that they speak :)
7. Juni 2019
5
I think it’s actually the attitude towards correction, rather than the person doing the correction. English speakers tend to find correcting someone almost offensive and insulting, and English speakers tend to be hands-off. If you correct someone’s grammar without being asked to, you can come off as a “grammar Nazi”. So a speaker who corrects a lot can come off as self-entitled and arrogant, like a know-it-all.
In Arabic, it’s quite the opposite. On an Arabic language forum (I’m not even talking about language-learning forums), you can correct someone, and it is seen as a public service. We are all seeking to improve our language, and it is in fact your duty and obligation to correct someone when you see them making a mistake.
Part of the reason English and Arabic have different attitudes is that English is a descriptive language, whereas Arabic is a prescriptive language, and as Arabic speakers, we see it as our social duty to protect it.
7. Juni 2019
5
Interesting. I always just assumed the emphasis on whether someone was native or not is for the learners' best interests. Some people don't prefer a British accent while others do.
I think it's easier to see what you will learn. As the English teaching community is quite competitive, I think by being transparent about your tongue also makes it easier to find an instructor who is upfront about where he is from. As there are tons of accents in each English speaking country, even broken down within the English, Australian, Canadian, American and other English-speaking countries.
As a language learner, myself, I prefer to learn Spanish from Spanish speakers in Mexico or South America rather than Spain. The terminology is different and the slang is too. When I am learning Portuguese, I only seek Brazilian Portuguese speakers for the same reasons. As well as the difference in cultures. The more languages you acquire the more you see the same strategy from teachers all over the world. Because it's so funny how much alike we are!
If I want Mexican food, I don't go to a Southwestern restaurant, it's similar but it's not authentic Mexican. I don't think it's arrogance so much as a marketing tactic to attract students.
Cheers
7. Juni 2019
4
Hi, Samuel. First of all, I think that when some people mention where they’re from, the idea is that they are not claiming to speak for all varieties of English, merely for the variety that they are familiar with. So in this sense, they’re pointing out that their expertise is limited — this is the opposite of arrogance. Second, no, native English speakers as a group are certainly no more arrogant than anybody else. Finally, I agree with you that it seems strange when people start every post, correction and comment with “Hello! Native English speaker here. Born in (insert name of town), lived here all my life…”, but it’s not arrogance. It seems to me that they are very insecure about their English abilities and thus feel it necessary to preface everything they say by announcing their status as a native speaker. The English speakers who post the highest quality answers and discussions never seem to feel a need to tell us they’re native speakers at all — much less in the first line of every post. To me, it’s obvious who is posting answers of high quality (regardless of whether or not they are natives), and I believe learners can, over time, figure it out as well.
8. Juni 2019
4
I think there is a problem with the idea of 'correct' English. English isn't like German or Japanese where you have an official organisation controlling it and saying this is the standard language. What is correct can vary depending on the country to the point that I've had Americans assume English is my second language when talking face-to-face. As an Australian I was brought up to follow British English standards but then as an adult working for the Australian Government I was told to follow those of our national dictionary which are different and frankly a little jarring when our newspapers still follow British English rules. Then I look at the internet which is predominately American English and it occasionally makes me cringe. When you travel to the various countries the way we speak is much more diverse and quite possibly the majority of native English speakers don't adhere to correct grammar when speaking. Online I can't decide whether to spell words the 'right' way and have the majority think I'm illiterate or the American way and hate myself for not being me! I may be a native English speaker but I was taught very little grammar in school formally and I wouldn't call myself an expert. Certainly in the past I may have arrogantly declared such and such is correct, but it doesn't necessarily make the other person wrong. English, like all languages, is constantly evolving. I know that doesn't help a learner trying to pass a test though!
7. Juni 2019
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Samuel
Sprachfähigkeiten
Englisch, Russisch
Lernsprache
Russisch
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