AIBU to ask if the English are judgemental against people speaking improper English?

[ConfusedWife1234]

Hey,
I am not a native speaker and I always wondered how English people think about people who make grammatical or other errors when speaking/writing their language. So far most did not say a thing but what are they thinking?

I generally find non native speakers are more correct than many native speakers.

And not many native English speakers speak another language anyway.

Ilovesooty I guess they do not need to speak another language because English is world language No. 1.

quite a lot do , in fact, sooty.

i dont mind confused wife, as i was teaching English for many years.

I cannot speak for anyone else nor make any sweeping statements.

from where i am sitting right now sooty, your statement sounds silly, there is a roomful of Brits speaking a different language, incredible isnt it?

I am 61 and yet to meet a english person speaking english properly

I find it irritating when a native English speaker makes basic grammatical errors (would of, could of etc).

However, I don’t find it annoying when a non-native speaker makes mistakes. I wonder if it’s because a) the types of mistakes tend to be different - not so grating - and b) I can guarantee that their English, however many errors, will be far, far better than my knowledge of their native language!

There's a difference between the type of grammatical errors made by non-native English speakers, and the type made by native speakers who don't have a good grasp of grammar. So even people who judge others on their grammar would recognise that the mistakes of a non-native speaker were not the result of ignorance or poor education.

" I am 61 and yet to meet a english person speaking english properly"

what utter rot, if i am a native English speaker then obviously i am talking it 'properly'.

Non native speakers tend to speak English way better than most English people speak any foreign language. So no I am not judgemental.

I am Scottish and

a) not many people speak a second language. I have a Spanish degree and I can categorically state that it's not common in Scotland (Glasgow) to have a second language unless you're from a bilingual family/ethnic minority family.

B) native speakers often don't speak English properly. Up here "I done" and "I seen" and such like is very common. That is not speaking English properly.

" That is not speaking English properly. "

well it is, if native speakers say it.

FourFried shouldn't that be, speaking it 'properly'?

I'm not bothered by people whose first language isn't English but I'm a little bothered by those that it is their native language.

what?

I would say that if people know you are not a native speaker they won't be judgem ental - as pp have said their English is bound to be miles better than most English people's grasp of a second language.
But I have seen online where non-native English speakers have been judged for mistakes/errors etc. Usually in this case it's where those judging don't realise the person is not a native speaker though.

The amount of threads on here with appalling spelling and grammar suggests otherwise.

Most people are impressed by a non-native speaker being able to communicate so well, because they are aware that they wouldn't be able to do so in another language.
I speak a few languages and I've found that in most countries, if you make an effort people will be kind and not nitpick. Of course there are always a few idiots, that happens everywhere too.

One of the truest lines in any song, OP...

... "An Englishman's way of speaking absolutely classifies him
The moment that he speaks, he makes some other Englishman despise him" ...

However, there's a lot more tolerance for people for whom English isn't a first language!

fourfried

I done and I seen is not correct regardless of whether a native speaker or a foreigner says it

if a native speaker says it as part of their natural daily dialogue then it's correct.

Yes! Yet we are the first to go abroad and expect everyone to speak English without making the effort to even say hello in the native language.

I think if someone is not a native speaker most people are totally accepting of mistakes, and frankly most people speaking English as a second language speak it better than most British people speak any other language at all. I'm personally pretty in awe of anyone who can fully converse in another language, even with the odd error and wish I could do that!

fourfried

No it's colloquial or even the vernacular. Sadly it doesn't mean it's correct

Native speakers barely ever speak correct English therefore we have absolutely no right to be judgemental.

I wouldn't think anything detrimental, English isn't your first language, good on you for having more than one, it's more than I have.

should i can assure you that is is perfectly 'correct' .

If you think it is not link me to the academy of language that says it isnt.
Oh yes, there no academy.

They don't care about non-native speakers but if a native speaker can't actually speak, well, see the link below m.youtube.com/watch?v=EAYUuspQ6BY