When the term"Native writers" becomes misleading

This is simple logic!

Ah, it's "Heremeout," another Kenyan champion of reason, logic, and English-language writing skills . . . .

You are right. I agree.


This practice is unethical in any case, and does not need any reason to be opposed.


This is confusing, though. If the writing of an ESL writer is easily "recognizable", how can customers remain unaware of the identity and skills of the writer they are going to hire?

To first-time customers, it may or may not be apparent in short emails...and when they get a paper that sounds like ESL, they may not even recognize why it sounds so strange to them because they're not experienced writers. But they know it doesn't sound quite right. Any more experienced customers usually know right away, which is why they post comments on forums like this one saying that they avoided a website because the text was obviously ESL or that they were disappointed by the fact that their papers were obviously written by ESL writers. It's not substantially different from the reason American writers should also disclose to Brits that they're American.

Again, the main point is that the only reason anybody cares in the first place is because ESL English sounds different to us and doesn't sound the way we do in our written voice. It's not racism or prejudice or anything else. Native English speakers want their paid writing to sound like native English and not like ESL English. If an ESL writer discloses that he's ESL before and a customer chooses to use him anyway, there's no problem. The only problem is that many ESLs have decided to misrepresent themselves for the purpose of getting business they would not have gotten from clients who do care about the ESL/native speaker distinction without lying to them. I have no problem with ESLs who are honest about it and you shouldn't have any problem with customers who care enough to ask about it before paying their hard-earned money for professional writing.

Yes. You are right. Thanks for replying.

For a perfect example, a student just started another thread off like this:


I have every right to tell this person that I'm qualified to write the paper and know the topic well (if that's true), but that I'm a U.S. writer. I do not have the right to create a UK-sounding email address and pretend to be a British writer to get the assignment. That's all any of us have been trying to explain to (some) ESLs forever.

Why you racist against Britain?

I understand your concern, FreelanceWriter. The point is: I take few orders a month and complete them with the best of my abilities and knowledge. The customers like the quality (may be for them), the content, and especially the flow of the paper. This is because I have extensive knowledge of the topic I am writing on, and which is why I have returning customers. Is that because the customers are really dumb? or their tutors who grade the papers are uneducated? Why do they like my work? See, I clearly tell my clients that I am an ESL writer, and they really have no problem with it.

An ESL writer needs practice, and for that the one has to stay in this industry. (<<That is my opinion.) Money is not the motivational factor for me as I own a brokerage firm and earn far more than what I earn from students for writing their papers. I am engaged in this business because I am qualified (CFA) and have passion for writing. I just love it. I want to learn English language to the level of a native writer. I don't know if it will happen or not. If I leave the industry, that won't benefit me, and my connection with the industry won't harm anyone in any way. I think, honesty, quality of product and improvement in quality are the concerns.

PS: Please do not think I am lying, or expressing commendation for myself.


He is not being racist, idiot. It is about honesty. He was explaining to me and I got his point.

LMAO! You're a fu**-n moron. This is EXACTLY why incompetent, out-of-touch, ESL writers like you have no business writing for American students. You don't grasp the most basic, obvious sarcasm or any other nuances that native speakers immediately recognize.


American customers don't want to pay for your internship. Take lessons on your own dime!

It is my belief that only certain writers at this forum are placing a greater emphasis than there should be on the phrase "native writers". They wish to make themselves appear special and unique when in truth, they are not. They believe that the phrase can make them higher paid and a better choice for the students. The reality is, the students don't care about whether the writer is ESL or ENL, just that the paper gets done in comprehensible English and following the instructions that the writer was provided with. You are also right, sloppiness works both ways.

*IN/ON THIS FORUM

@cruciandiem
Just as important is that the writer or writing company doesn't make outlandish claims. If a writer claims to have a vast impressive array of experience in many sectors you should be wary. A legitimate writer will tell you the name of the law school or university he/she attended. If it looks as if they are over-promoting themselves, again be cautious. If something looks too good to be true then it probably isn't authentic.

This is a factual truth. ESL sounds and reads differently from ENL for the most part. However, the professors do not care so much about how the sentences are developed and structured. Their main concern is whether the report/ opinion paper/ research material meets the given content requirements as they instructed. Professors focus on the material presentation in the sense that the written text should be understandable and must show an effort coming from the student to understand and properly accomplish the assignment. The reason that the students complain is because the ESL writer did not even make the effort to develop a well written paper. Aside from cut and paste content, the writer also typically writes in obvious beginner learning style, which is not even high school level writing most of the time.

This is one example of ESL English sounding different from that of a native speaker. A native speaker has a few choices here, but "This is a factual truth" isn't one of them.

1. This is a fact.
2. This is the truth.
3. This is factual.
4. This is truthful.

Bonus proverb: "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."