What is the determinant of an English native speaker?

Question

It could be argued that only native speakers of English from England are true native speakers. Other countries that have adopted English as their primary language (America, Australia, Canada) have cultural and language differences, spelling, pronunciation etc.

Answer 1

Hello,

The term "native" is used as an alternative for "mother tongue." When I say "I am a native English speaker" it just means that I have learned and used English all of my life. You cannot argue that only English speakers from England are native, in the sense that they are the only people who speak the original language, because the original form of English is no longer in use. Only scholars understand the early forms of English. The cultural, spelling, and pronunciation differences you've mentioned exist within British English as well. Language is a living thing and all of the countries that speak English are contributing to the form it currently takes. Trying to isolate one country and say that it has ownership over the language does not respect the reality that we all influence each other.