₦airaland Forum

I have tried to Google this question in the internet but I'm not getting any straight forward answer. I was filling a form for overseas studies and this questioned popped up. I am confused because as Nigerians, I know we are not considered "native speakers of English" but at the same time I don't know if the question "Is English your first language" and being a native speaker mean the same thing. Please if it does, let me know your views, thank you.

Mode4:
I have tried to Google this question in the internet but I'm not getting any straight forward answer. I was filling a form for overseas studies and this questioned popped up. I am confused because as Nigerians, I know we are not considered "native speakers of English" but at the same time I don't know if the question "Is English your first language" and being a native speaker mean the same thing. Please if it does, let me know your views, thank you.

Well from look of things since you're not a native speaker of English,then English is not ur first language(ur first language is ur mother tongue)

English is the first language of the USA, Great Britain and some other countries.

I am very certain you aren't an American neither are you from GB, so, English isn't your first language.

It is a first language to those who speak it as their mother tongue.

It means; is English the first language you were introduced to after birth?

Whether you were born in a country that's not considered a native speaking country is not the question.

If English is the first language you learnt to speak, then it's your first language.

Some Nigerian children only know how to speak English. They may be Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa but they were not taught any other language apart from English while growing up. I even know Nigerians living here who would get lost if you try to talk to them in Pidgin English.

nickvanilla:
It means; is English the first language you were introduced to after birth?

Whether you were born in a country that's not considered a native speaking country is not the question.

If English is the first language you learnt to speak, then it's your first language.

Some Nigerian children only know how to speak English. They may be Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa but they were not taught any other language apart from English while growing up. I even know Nigerians living here who would get lost if you try to talk to them in Pidgin English.

Actually English was my first language. My mum is Igbo while my dad is ibibio so I didn't get to learn any of their native languages early enough. I only learnt ibibio later.

Mode4:
Actually English was my first language. My mum is Igbo while my dad is ibibio so I didn't get to learn any of their native languages early enough. I only leant ibibio later.

Technically, English is your first language but when the question is being asked, they want to know people whose English is their own native language like the US, UK, Australia etc.

As a Nigerian, English is not your first language, however it's the language of instruction for studies. To prove English as your first language, then you must be from USA, UK and Aus.

Saintsquare:
As a Nigerian, English is not your first language, however it's the language of instruction for studies. To prove English as your first language, then you must be from USA, UK and Aus.

wrong
What’s the point of me saying our native language is your first language if you can’t even speak it or speak it well?
That’s the case of a lot of a lot of Nigerians
The language you are introduced to at birth is your first language ...most educated Nigerians first language is English

Mode4:
Actually English was my first language. My mum is Igbo while my dad is ibibio so I didn't get to learn any of their native languages early enough. I only leant ibibio later.

Don't be fooled by that guy's dodgy definition.

English is Not your first language.

That is not even remotely possible.

We are largely L2 speakers of English.

Flytime:
wrong
What’s the point of me saying our native language is your first language if you can’t even speak it or speak it well?
That’s the case of a lot of a lot of Nigerians
The language you are introduced to at birth is your first language ...most educated Nigerians first language is English

What is the first language of your parents?

mansakhalifa:
Don't be fooled by that guy's dodgy definition.

English is Not your first language.

That is not even remotely possible.

We are largely L2 speakers of English.

Why do u think it is not remotely possible?

Mode4:
I have tried to Google this question in the internet but I'm not getting any straight forward answer. I was filling a form for overseas studies and this questioned popped up. I am confused because as Nigerians, I know we are not considered "native speakers of English" but at the same time I don't know if the question "Is English your first language" and being a native speaker mean the same thing. Please if it does, let me know your views, thank you.

English is not our first language. Whether you know how to speak your native language or not.
Majority of Nigerian parents do not teach their children English. Our parents mostly use our native languages.

I think only south Africans are considered native English speakers maybe due to the whites there.

©️2021.

Flytime:
wrong
What’s the point of me saying our native language is your first language if you can’t even speak it or speak it well?
That’s the case of a lot of a lot of Nigerians
The language you are introduced to at birth is your first language ...most educated Nigerians first language is English

Hehehehe.. you are wrong.

Nigerians are not considered native English speakers regardless of our educational background.
English is just the language of instruction in Nigeria. Majority of Nigerians do not speak English except in a formal setting.

While in places like the US,UK, Aus, and CA majority of their citizens speak English in a formal or informal setting.


©️2021.

samuelpeters:
Hehehehe.. you are wrong.

Nigerians are not considered native English speakers regardless of our educational background.
English is just the language of instruction in Nigeria. Majority of Nigerians do not speak English except in a formal setting.

While in places like the US,UK, Aus, and CA majority of their citizens speak English in a formal or informal setting.


©️2021.

okay
I mostly speak English regardless of the setting
Does that make my first language english?

Technically, from your explanation, English is your first language.

However, since you grew up in a non-majority English speaking country, you may still need to prove that fact. Your school should guide you about how to, either on that same application you’re filling or upon further review.

Flytime:
okay
I mostly speak English regardless of the setting
Does that make my first language english?

Yes, it is your first language but not your native language. Which is where the problem lies. They use native/first language interchangeably. But they only want to know if English is the dominant language which it is not.

Those countries I mentioned are the recognized native English speakers in the world. Others picked it up as a 2nd language.

I really understand your point though.

©️2021.

Flytime:
okay
I mostly speak English regardless of the setting
Does that make my first language english?

So far you are using the Nigerian passport, you aren't a native English speaker. The Op is applying for studies abroad, the application is trying to ascertain the level of English proficiency of applicants. UK, USA and Australia are exempted from English proficiency exams because they are regarded as native English speakers. Nigeria falls under countries that has English as language of instruction, meaning he would probably require English proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL, in some cases a certified document proving he studied in Nigeria with English as language of instruction.

The phrase "Is English your first language?" is a question that asks whether English is the language that a person learned and spoke from an early age, typically during childhood. It is often used to inquire about someone's level of proficiency in English or to understand if they are a native speaker of the language.