How do we define English as a second language (ESL) and where it stands in the realm of writing? In this article, we talk about our personal experiences with and takes on ESL, as previously narrated in the Creatinuum podcast episode entitled "'Not My First Language': ESL in the Publishing Industry."
How do we define English as a second language (ESL) and where it stands in the realm of writing? In this article, we talk about our personal experiences with and takes on ESL, as previously narrated in the Creatinuum podcast episode entitled "'Not My First Language': ESL in the Publishing Industry."
The English language has become such a global norm that all style guides and annual dictionary updates aside, it is being taught, to this day, as a compulsory subject in many non-English-speaking countries. We ourselves were taught to speak English alongside our mother tongue as early as preschool, and it would later mold what we regard as professionally written or otherwise. This is one prominent result of globalization, and easier learning about different cultures worldwide would merit a need to understand them all through one language.
Of course, one non-English-speaking country's grasp on the English language would depend on how this language has been embedded into said country's culture throughout its history. Some nations may have experienced English digging its roots deeply into their cultures over decades or even centuries, while others may not have felt this as keenly and thus, at present, consist of people with a poorer grasp on the Western language. In some cases, this would be their preference as they would rather focus on the mastery of their own mother tongue and, by extension, their own culture (e.g., Japan).
Nonetheless, English continues to grow as a global "standard," to the point where the term "English as a second language" (ESL) exists, which is to say English as learned and adopted by non-native speakers. This plays a huge role in the ability of people living in non-English-speaking countries, especially those located in the Global South, to outsource their work to English-speaking countries for additional income and to further their respective homelands' economies.
Sadly, many ESL speakers and writers struggle to reach the standard of English expected from international universities, companies, and even publishing houses, owing to lacking means of mastering the language in their countries. For this, they often employ professional editors and proofreaders to improve their written works before submission, and while this benefits several parties, it says much about the rigid rules on grammar to which the ESL population need to adhere so as to be considered "professional" and respectable by these institutions.
That being said, it's common to see ESL speakers who have mastered the English language possess a better grasp of how to use it in professional settings, even far more than people whose vernacular is English. This is due to their commitment to further their mastery of the language so as to get ahead in their jobs and education as compared to native English speakers who overestimate their own usage of English and often treat it as a second thought (e.g., the still-prevalent error of using "should of" instead of the correct "should have").
In addition, for ESL speakers who have extensive experience in using the English language along with their mother tongue, they bring nuance to these languages that is unique to the country in which they reside. While English snobs would call this blending of languages "unprofessional," it actually paints a picture of how adept ESL speakers are in not only adapting a new language but also, in a sense, welcoming it into the fold of their culture.
Overall, what we can take away from this article is that ESL is neither equal nor inferior to native English; it is its own English variant that has aided non-native speakers in establishing themselves in an ever-growing global market. Sure, ESL speakers can benefit from additional help to improve their use of English, such as fluency classes and proofreading services, but they definitely bring a unique flair to English that many, if not most, would see in Western settings.
Listen in full to Creatinuum Episode 18: "Not My First Language": ESL in the Publishing Industry available on Simplecast, Spotify, Apple and other platforms.
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