Native Speaker: Definition, History, and Further Reading
Native speaker is a term used to describe someone who is proficient in a language that is their first language, or mother tongue. Native speakers are often seen as having the highest level of proficiency in a language, and are capable of using the language in a variety of contexts.
Definition
The term “native speaker” is used to describe someone who has a high degree of fluency in a language that is their first language. This fluency is determined by the individual’s ability to use the language in a variety of contexts and to communicate effectively with native and non-native users.Proficiency may include both formal and informal aspects of the language, knowledge of its grammar and lexicon, as well as an understanding of its cultural contexts and conventions.
History
The concept of native speaker has been around since the mid-20th century. While the term was initially used to refer to people who spoke their language of origin as their first language, it has since evolved to include those who have become proficient in the language through extensive language study.
The concept of native speaker has been used in the field of second language acquisition to refer to a wide array of language backgrounds. For example, the term has been used to refer to those who are bilingual, those who have become proficient in a language through study, and those who have acquired a language through exposure.
Further Reading
Bialystok, E., & Hakuta, K. (1994). In other words: The science and psychology of second-language acquisition. New York: Basic Books.
Cook, V. (2003). Effects of the native speaker in second language learning. Language Teaching, 36(2), 217-240.
Krashen, S. (1985). The input hypothesis: Issues and implications. London: Longman.
Lindholm-Leary, K.J. (2001). Bilingual education: Teaching English language learners. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Skehan, P. (1998). A cognitive approach to language learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.