The Construct of English Native Speaker in Hong Kong

• Main Author: Chan, Ka Long Roy
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Hong Kong English; Native Speakers; Nativeness; English Language Teaching; English Varieties; English Language and Literature; Language and Literacy Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/jeal/vol3/iss1/1; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/jeal/article/1074/viewcontent/1chan_revised.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

The discussion paper provides a discussion of the construct of English native speakers among Hongkongers. Beginning with a review of the linguistic landscapes of Hong Kong, including English language education and English usage, followed by an introduction of a debate on the construct of English native speakers, this paper demonstrates the potential inclusion of Hongkongers as native speakers of English, with the use of their English varieties, Hong Kong English. Additionally, the paper argues for a revision of the traditional geographically-bounded definition of ‘native speaker,’ drawing upon discussions by Rampton (1990), Kachru (1998), and Hansen Edwards (2017a, 2017b) regarding the construct of English ‘native speaker.’ The paper concludes that a modified definition of the traditional English ‘native speaker’ is necessary to better align with contemporary linguistic landscapes, thereby potentially benefiting English Language Teaching (ELT) communities worldwide.