Summary

The article challenges the bias against non-native English speakers, emphasizing their ability to produce high-quality work equivalent to that of native speakers, and advocates for inclusivity in hiring practices, particularly in the fields of writing and teaching.

Abstract

The article titled "Non-Native Speakers Just Can’t Get the Slang Right" critiques the persistent skepticism faced by non-native English speakers in professional settings, despite their proficiency and expertise. It argues that non-native speakers, such as the author's friend Zara from Kuala Lumpur, can produce excellent work, having grown up with English as their first language and being immersed in the same cultural references as native speakers. The author points out that non-native speakers are often unjustly excluded from job opportunities based on their origin, which also deprives employers of the unique insights these individuals can bring. The piece also touches on the discrimination in the English teaching sector, where non-native speakers are undervalued despite their qualifications and neutral accents. The author, who runs a content writing agency, champions the importance of merit-based hiring, irrespective of one's native language or country of origin.

Opinions

Non-native English speakers are fully capable of producing work of the same caliber as native speakers.
The assumption that non-native speakers lack understanding of slang and colloquialisms is unfounded, as many are well-versed in the language through exposure to the same media and cultural experiences as native speakers.
Excluding non-native speakers from job opportunities based on language proficiency is discriminatory and overlooks their potential contributions.
Non-native speakers can offer nuanced insights and diverse perspectives that enrich projects and teaching roles.
English teaching positions should not be restricted to native speakers, as non-native speakers can be equally effective teachers, with the added benefit of diverse educational backgrounds.
Hiring based on merit rather than nativity can lead to a more inclusive and competent workforce.

Non-Native Speakers Just Can’t Get the Slang Right

And other excuses we should leave behind in 2022.

Non-native speakers have been arguing for ages that they can produce work on par with their native counterparts. Yet, potential employers or clients continue to question the veracity of these claims.

Spoiler alert: Non-native speakers can and do produce excellent work. Just like native speakers, you’ll find a range of quality based on skill and experience.

But you wouldn’t know this if you ice them out of applying for a job in the first place.

Let’s talk about the non-native speaker who considers English to be their first language

For those of you who don’t know, I spend most of my time in Southeast Asia. My current favourite spot: Kuala Lumpur. I’ve been here since 2020 and I love it.

Zara is one of many local friends I’ve made who speak and write English like any other native speaker. Honestly, Zara writes better than a lot of my friends back in Melbourne.

I’ve collaborated on dozens of copywriting projects with her and she’s produced brilliant work every single time. See, Zara has spoken English her whole life.

Her parents only ever spoke English at home and she’s been learning the language since pre-school. In fact, she didn’t even learn the local language in Malaysia until she was about 8 years old.

She grew up watching Disney and Nickelodeon shows just like all us native English speakers.

Are you getting the picture? Nothing about her speech or writing could ever distinguish her from a native speaker. And she isn’t the only one.

Most of the people I know here have a similar story. Some of them are bi-lingual and others, like Zara, only ever learned English.

But there has to be something missing…

I hear that a lot.

I recently read a comment online made by a native-speaking writer. She argued a non-native speaker may get all the grammar and sentence structures right but will miss out on the slang and colloquialisms native speakers would be accustomed to.

Wrong again.

People like Zara have no trouble with the jargon and have all the context clues they need. Because, as I mentioned earlier, they read the same books and watch the same shows. And use slang in their day-to-day with other English-speaking friends.

Zara has been dancing to the same TikTok trends and keeping up with the Kardashians just like you and I do.

There is nothing missing.

If a non-native speaker claims they can get the job done and have a portfolio or samples — there is no reason to question their capabilities. I get it, there will be applicants who don’t quite meet the standard you’re going for.

But can you honestly tell me that making your project or job offer exclusive to native speakers has automatically helped you weed out applicants that didn’t meet your standards?

And have you ever wondered about the nuanced insights someone who has a different lived experience may bring to the table? Insights and expertise you miss out on because you’re not willing to consider that people living outside the Western world can speak, read and write fluent English.

They must sound different…

Let’s say we’re not talking about writers. Consider English teachers. In many parts of the world (especially Asia), there are amazing English teaching opportunities…for native speakers.

Once again, because of the belief that a non-native speaker couldn’t possibly be as good as a native speaker. Especially when it comes to clarity and accents.

This time, we’re going to use my cousin as an example.

My mom is originally from Pakistan. And most of her family still lives there. Including my best friend and cousin, Kiera. Over the years, Kiera has visited me in Melbourne a lot.

And every time, no one has been able to guess where she’s from. People could tell she wasn’t Australian (not always though) and usually guessed she was American or British.

She’s been speaking English her whole life. At school, she was taught British English and at home, she watched American TV shows. And her accent just turned into a hybrid of the two!

Once again, she isn’t the only one. Most of Kiera’s friends sound the same.

So, why couldn't they teach English and produce the same results a native-speaking teacher might? She has a degree in education and multiple teaching certifications and isn’t even paid half of what the uncertified native-speakers are being paid at her job.

It isn’t always so black and white

I was prompted to write this piece after watching a TikTok where this girl spoke about having an international English accent just like Zara and my cousin. And there were thousands of comments from people thanking her for describing exactly what it’s like growing up speaking English at a native level while living in a non-native-speaking country.

It probably shouldn’t feel so odd to me that massive groups of people are being excluded from opportunities because of an unfounded bias. And yet, it’s still shocking when we can do better.

I own a copywriting and content writing agency and I made sure to hire my team based on merit. It doesn’t matter where they’re from as long as they can produce quality work and are team players.

All our clients are happy and no one on the team struggles to produce natural-sounding copy because they didn’t grow up in the Western world.

Try it out for yourself. At the very least, there is no harm in making an effort to diversify.