Being a native speaker is often seen as a shortcut to language expertise. But does that hold up? A critical look at language, credibility and inclusion.
I overheard someone recently say: “I really need a native English speaker for this project.” I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Not because I questioned the intention – it’s a classic in comms circles – but because that one sentence reveals something deeper: a persistent belief that being born into a language is the same as being good at it.
The term native speaker sounds reassuring. Someone who grew up with a language must be more skilled in it, right? Especially in places like the Netherlands, where we have an obsession with native speakers, a linguistic equivalent of: “He’s French, so he must be a Michelin-star cook.”
And it runs deep. Just last week, I heard a communication professional introduce herself as a native English speaker, in the same tone you’d use to present an ISO certification. But if we keep framing language ability as something you’re born with, we reinforce the stereotype that only native English is ‘really good English’.
Being born into a language ≠ being good at it
Let’s be clear: native speaker is not a mark of quality. You wouldn’t say: “We need a native economist for this budget.” Or: “This report needs to shine — let’s hire a native PowerPoint user.”
And yet, with language, we do this all the time.
The problem? Just because someone was raised speaking English doesn’t mean they’re automatically great at writing, speaking, or communicating. Effective communication requires far more than fluency. It takes:
• Contextual awareness
• Strategic tone
• Cross-cultural sensitivity
• Intentional use of language
I’ve seen native speakers deliver error-ridden, rambling copy. And I’ve worked with multilingual professionals who craft language with precision, clarity and power. In global organisations, these are often the people who make the real difference, not because they speak like the audience, but because they understand how to speak to the audience.
But we really need someone who understands nuance!
One of the most persistent justifications sounds deceptively refined: “We’re looking for someone who really understands nuance.” As if nuance were something absorbed with baby formula, available only to those raised in the sacred land of Proper English.
But nuance isn’t inherited. It’s developed — through empathy, cultural awareness, and conscious communication.
It’s not a native-speaker superpower.
It’s a communication skill.
The social baggage of “native speaker”
Native speaker may sound neutral, but it’s loaded. It shifts the focus from what people can do to where they come from. It frames credibility as a matter of origin, not ability.
That quietly excludes multilingual professionals, migrants, people with accents, or anyone whose passport might not match their working language. These are often the very people who approach language more consciously, because they’ve learned it deliberately, studied it thoroughly, and practiced it with the goal of communicating effectively (Kubota & McKay, 2009).
In international workplaces, where English is often the working language but rarely anyone’s first, the native standard is unrealistic and unhelpful. Because it reinforces the idea that some voices are automatically more credible than others. And that’s a missed opportunity.
Did you know that...?
With only 5% of the global population being native English speakers, the majority of English communication occurs among non-native speakers, who often outnumber their native counterparts by a 3:1 ratio (Takino, 2020; Clyne & Sharifian, 2008).
So what should you ask for?
Instead of asking for a native speaker, try asking for what you actually need:
• Someone who writes clearly and fluently in English
• Someone who understands your tone of voice and brand style
• Someone who can adapt meaning across cultures and contexts
• Someone who uses language with care, intent and empathy
It may sound less sexy than native speaker but it’s more accurate. And far more inclusive.
In other words
Good communication isn’t a birthright. It’s a skill. The best language users aren’t necessarily born into a language, they’ve learned to use it consciously and effectively.
By shifting our focus from background to competence, we get better results and more diverse voices at the table.
And that, let’s be honest, is what communication should really be about.#
References
- Clyne, M., & Sharifian, F. (2008). English as an international language: challenges and possibilities. Australian Review of Applied Linguistics.
- House, J. (2015). Translation quality assessment: Past and present (2nd ed.). Routledge.
- Kubota, R., & McKay, S. L. (2009). Globalization and language learning in the twenty-first century: Toward socially just pedagogies. The Modern Language Journal.
- Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic imperialism. Oxford University Press.
- Takino, M. (2020). Power in International Business Communication and Linguistic Competence: Analyzing the Experiences of Nonnative Business People Who Use English as a Business Lingua Franca (BELF). International Journal of Business Communication.
