Beyond the question of writing in ‘native English’
This question misses the point by seeing the language as flat and uncreative not just by creating an undesirable counterpart but on failing to acknowledging much more important things to contemplate when writing content.
In a recent job interview, this question came up again, posed by an experienced copywriter—allegedly—and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. Throughout my career I've dealing with this question from clients and bosses and now with this manager, But Why?
Let's start with the basics.
If you're asking whether I can replicate a client's tone, yes, I can. But by using the term "native English," we are categorizing language identity by setting up an inevitable 'non-native' counterpart. This reinforces a hierarchy of English in which it is "owned" by native speakers, suggesting that the farther a speaker is from this inner circle, the less valid, prestigious, and desirable their English becomes.
Let's dig deeper. If we follow this logic, then any native speaker should be able to do my UX writer/content designer/copywriter job(we need to get rid off this many job titles). But that's not true—unless they know how to achieve goals like conversions, accessibility, and crafting words that enhance user experience and help businesses succeed by delivering clear messages and hitting key KPIs. So, are we trying to deliver an effective message, or are we just settling for a stale one?
Of course, there's no denying the advantages of knowing a language inside out. You might find a concise way to express an idea, which is great, because you can make the most out of a sentence. But this idea is tricky. Writing isn't about showing your vocabulary; it's about understanding your audience, how people read (still blows my mind that some managers don’t know this, but whatever), and—most importantly—how to capture their attention so you can present a value proposition.
This brings me to my next point: writing with purpose. Language changes all the time, just as society evolves. So, you can write like a native speaker of any language, but do you really understand how your content impacts people’s lives? It's not just about creating a better society—it’s also good for business.
“Our language shapes how we see the world. So, our language choices and considerations matter. Always.”
Using plain and respectful language is one of the hardest things to do. Not everyone can write in that way. Why? Because it’s damn hard. Just look at some of your favorite writers, and take notice why they’re good—beyond their storytelling.
Language isn’t flat or uncreative. Not everyone conveys an idea the same way, and the internet has broadened our audience. Writing for everyone is a must. So, remember: writing is far more than being a native speaker. Writing is about skill, research, and knowledge—and that's what you should be looking for in someone.