The Native Speaker
I believe that the native speaker, the one who has been using a language since birth, and normally speaks no other, is the genuine representative of that language. She is subject to linguistic, grammatical, sociological, phonetical studies. The native speaker is grouped, divided geographically, tested and analized by experts. Native speakers set the standard by which we judge a language socientifically. Nevertheless, foreigners who wish to acquire the native´s idiomatic skills must demand certain qualifications. Any native won´t do as a teacher. 1. "The native speaker must be literate." An illiterate native has a handicup as a teacher. 2. "The native must have an educational background, especially literary." A person who knows the literature, the history, geography, customs, etc. of her country, where the language is spoken, will be more suitable. A background in chemistry won´t do. 3. "The native who acts as a teacher must be certified." His word wil...