Are you a native Chinese speaker

[skylee]

My impression is that non-native speakers / learners of the Chinese language dominate this website and they care little about native speakers here. But there is a recent post asking if Chinese speaking forumers (I assume that means native speakers) outnumber non-native ones on this site. Thus this poll.

"Chinese" in the poll includes Putonghua and all dialects that are commonly understood to be dialects of the Chinese language (Hanyu / Huayu / Zhongwen). I am not a linguist so please don't argue about what is or is not Chinese.

I think any member would fit in one of the categories.

This is a public poll.

Sorry if there are already other threads on this subject.

[Xiao Kui]

My impression is that non-native speakers / learners of the Chinese language dominate this website and they care little about native speakers here.

Why do you feel that way? What abt you? Is Mandarin your native language? (I've never asked before but a previous post made me think you were a HKer and native Cantonese speaker) Do you think native speakers are made to feel unwelcome or neglected on this site? Please forgive me if I've read too much into your statement.

[muyongshi]

ha! You read my mind skylee.

And just for the record, I care very much about the native speakers on this site! Without them (you) we would lose a ton of valuable input. Especially on the resources and explanation of higher level stuff front.

[wushijiao]

And just for the record, I care very much about the native speakers on this site! Without them (you) we would lose a ton of valuable input

Agreed! I also think native speakers can bring good input as far as cultural issues, society, politics, books, movies and other things like that.

[Han-tiger]

Skylee,

We are of the same feeling! I think a possible explanation to this is language. English prevails in this site, though this is a Chinese forum. Any post from a native Chinese speaker presupposes her/his proficiency in English language, which virtually makes lots of native speakers excluded from this forum.

Another reason is that there are quite a few expats in this forum, who have probably lived in China for three, four, five, or even more yeas. They have a good understanding of Chinese language, Culture, locals, and almost everything about China. Their post is quite easily understood, and more reliable to many new comers from western countries. So no wonder when reading some inputs, a silly idea always pops into my mind that this forum would go well even without the participation of native Chinese speakers.

Anyway, I consider it a pleasurable and meaningful experience browsing this website.

[Lu]

I don't know about member numbers, but I do think most posts are made by non-native speakers. The culture on this forum is mostly western, and that, combined with the language issue, makes it difficult for native Chinese. People like Skylee and Quest have English good enough to cope with that, but often enough well-meaning Chinese show up, only to disappear again when they are misunderstood, or misunderstand something, and as a result don't like this place anymore.

I don't think this forum would be as good as it is without the input of native speakers though. Not only the language part but also the cultural parts.

[mythia]

Hi, Skylee, I think it was me who provoked such a thought:mrgreen: good poll, thanks for fullfilling my Christmas wish. I think people at home or around their hometown, will tend to speak local dialects and speak a more common language (i.e.Putonghua) in the business sphere, which is exactly the case for me.

However I don't share your feeling that native speakers are "cared little" by our 国际友人s I remembering seeing a post singing praise of you and fireball giving valuable insights.

[Woodpecker]

I'm not sure why you have that impression, skylee, but maybe I just haven't read enough threads! Perhaps it would be possible to have a 'Chinese only' forum section, where people write in Characters? Then the visitors who are not so good at English will have somewhere to socialise.

[Lu]

Woodpecker, there's a 中國角 that is exactly that.

[SChinFChin]

Hi, Skylee, I think it was me who provoked such a thought good poll, thanks for fullfilling my Christmas wish.

Yes, you did. I also thought the other day that a poll would be nice.

I speak Cantonese as my native dialect, though I also speak Mandarin with customers. Up till a few months ago, I had a business near a Chinese area where I speak Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) with customers and staff all day long, though I don't speak it at home (with the wife and kids).

My wife is a native Cantonese speaker though she speaks Chinglish with her mom. Chinglish is a bad idea as you'll lose a lot of vocabulary, and she has a hard time understanding people when we visited Guangzhou and Hong Kong, though Putonghua is more widely used in Guangzhou nowadays.

However, I'm ABC, speak English with no accent, so many people do not consider me a "native Cantonese" speaker, though I grew up in a home speaking it only.

Frank

[Woodpecker]

Woodpecker, there's a 中國角 that is exactly that.

Ooops!! So there is!

[thph2006]

I'm a non-native, non-Chinese, non-resident, non-speaker who's been trying to learn Mandarin on my own for some time now with embarrassingly slow progress. Thankfully I found this site and it's been a place where I've gotten nothing but the kindest, most interesting and most useful help from all the contributors, especially the native speakers, whom I hold in high regard. A big thanks to all, and Merry Christmas!

By the way, if I could speak Mandarin as well as the worst native speaker here can speak English I'd consider myself a great success! Their language skills are impressive.

[Luobot]

And just for the record, I care very much about the native speakers on this site! Without them (you) we would lose a ton of valuable input

Agreed! I also think native speakers can bring good input as far as cultural issues, society, politics, books, movies and other things like that.

Double-Agreed!!

I don't necessarily agree with everyone's viewpoint on values issues, whether they are native speakers of Chinese, English, or any other language, but I do enjoy and value their input, whether I agree with it or not. When it comes to their contribution to the language and cultural discussions of Chinese, I think it's totally invaluable, and it's an important part of what brings me to this site.

It also turns out that several native speakers here have introduced me to blogs that I otherwise wouldn't have visited, such as yours, Han-tiger, and several others. Some are a bit beyond my level, but I do enjoy following them from time to time, as I can.

Happy Holidays and 继续加油！

[fireball9261]

I am a native Chinese speaker and grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. I speak Mandarin at home and in public when I am in Taiwan. I have been living in California for almost 30 years and married an American husban, so my English is not bad either.

When I was in Taipei, my home is very near Shida (Taiwan Normal University) and the International Student Center. Therefore, we had a few Westerner students who came to Taipei to study Chinese as tenants in my home. I always enjoy teaching them Chinese as well as Chinese culture. My English got improved a lot by talking with them as well as their Mandarin. I also had a playmate who was the daughter of an American student in Taipei. Therefore, I always highly recommend non-Chinese go to Taipei to study Chinese because I know they would feel welcome there.

I am glad to find this forum and also glad to contribute to this forum. I think people from all ethnic groups and all nationalities could become good friends as long as they communicate with each other -- Including Chinese and Japanese. For those who had read my postings about my feelings regarding Japanese would know what I am saying. I am currently entertaining my new Japanese friend in my home. We just met around Thanksgiving time, and we have no problems communicating and have become good friends.

[skylee]

fireball9261, it looks like you haven't voted.

[fireball9261]

Did you separate this thread out just now? I thought I have voted. Anyway, now I did again in this thread.

[Rhubarb]

fireball9261, it looks like you haven't voted.

Looks like somebody needs to learn what a "poll" is, I'm surprised LOL

[李東凱80]

I am a native Chinese speaker, I was born and grew up in China until 21 when I went to Canada. Now I am back home and basically I speak Mandarin Chinese at home and occasionally speak English during my work and I go to English websites( mainly Canadian news) to check out what's going on over there because I love Canada too.

[self-taught-mba]

care little about native speakers here.

NO!!!!! I wish there were more of you. I often wondered why you help us out so much skylee. Was always afraid to ask but thought you stuck around because of how grateful we feel. At least I think most people are. You are the voice of authority that we really need. Thank you for all your contributions!

And just for the record, I care very much about the native speakers on this site! Without them (you) we would lose a ton of valuable input

Agreed!!!!!

[丽丽_Jinlei]

Awww. Voting is closed.