Short Essay : Communication Between English and Non-English Speakers

 

 

 "Whoa, you can like, speak English? No way, like a native or something!"

This was a catchphrase of a former supervisor during my time at a certain company. He seemed to believe that calling someone “native” just because they could use a bit of English would somehow flatter them. It struck me as shallow.

 

In the professional world, whether during meetings, business exchanges, or social dinners, I’ve had numerous opportunities to use English. Over time, I’ve observed two ideals emerge:

 

*Achieving near-native fluency in English is, of course, desirable.

 

*Yet, equally critical is the ability to communicate effectively with those for whom English is not their mother tongue.

 

These ideals reflect a challenging paradox.

 

The Challenge of Non-Native Communication

 

Having attended an international high school, one of the most valuable lessons I gained wasn’t just English proficiency—it was the ability to communicate effortlessly with non-native speakers of English. This skill has become indispensable in my career, where I often engage with businesses from Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. In these interactions, the proportion of native English speakers is surprisingly low.

 

While a solid grasp of business English is essential, perfect grammar and idiomatic usage are rarely the norm in such exchanges. Instead, what becomes paramount is a mutual determination to understand one another. Grammatical errors are inevitable, but many can be deciphered with even a rudimentary knowledge of the other person’s language or by using online translation tools to interpret unconventional phrasing.

 

Over time, patterns emerge. For instance, certain idiosyncratic expressions in a colleague’s emails become recognisable, and you realise, “Ah, they mean that.”

 

The Blind Spot of Native Speakers

This flexibility often eludes native speakers of English. When faced with non-native colleagues, they may become overly fixated on linguistic imperfections, losing sight of the real purpose of the exchange: conducting business. I’ve encountered Japanese individuals raised in the U.S., whose first language is English. When placed in a setting with non-native speakers of English, they sometimes display a reluctance to engage. For example, they might hesitate to directly address a question to a German guest at a dinner, instead asking me to interpret in whispers.

 

To the guest, aware of their hosts’ reputed fluency, this behaviour creates a sense of mistrust. Explaining that “they’re just shy” feels inadequate and undermines the collaborative spirit of the occasion. What’s more telling is that these same individuals transform entirely in the presence of native English speakers, readily engaging and conversing.

 

This highlights a mindset among some English-speaking Japanese who seem preoccupied with others’ fluency, often criticising accents or grammatical slips, while showing little interest in meaningful engagement with non-native English speakers.

 

Redefining Communication in a Global Context

Of course, a baseline proficiency in English is necessary in business. However, it must be paired with two additional capabilities:

 

Communication skills: The ability to convey ideas clearly, even with limited vocabulary.

Practical competence: An understanding of the task or business at hand.

 

This requires selecting words and expressions thoughtfully, ensuring mutual understanding, and focusing on the substance of the interaction. In many cases, native-level English isn’t a factor at all—it’s about bridging the gap between non-native speakers.

 

For native English speakers, adapting to this dynamic can be daunting. Unless they’re highly accustomed to non-native English, they may struggle to see beyond grammatical errors and unconventional phrasing.

 

Lingua Franca Beyond Perfection

The rise of English as the global lingua franca has shifted the dynamics of international communication. Non-native English speakers now outnumber native speakers, bringing with them accents influenced by Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, and countless others. In multinational corporations, the demand is less for “native-level English” and more for “global communication skills.”

 

The ability to quickly grasp what someone intends to say—despite their imperfect English—is invaluable. While fluency, correct pronunciation, and an extensive vocabulary are ideal, they’re not always necessary for effective collaboration. What matters more is a willingness to connect, adapt, and find ways to make the conversation work.

 

Towards a New Ideal

In regions with significant immigrant populations, such as parts of the U.S., U.K., or Australia, many people likely practise this kind of adaptive communication daily. Yet for others, the idea of English beyond its “native” ideal may still be challenging to embrace.

 

The ultimate goal is not “perfect English” but a kind of lingua franca capable of facilitating understanding across diverse backgrounds. As we move further from the era of French as the diplomatic standard to English as the global medium, I aim to foster a mode of communication that prioritises connection over correctness.

 

This, I believe, is the true essence of globalisation in language.