The Real Truth About Native Speaker Level: Is C2 Good Enough?

Today I'll emphasize the differences between reaching a C2 level and being a native speaker.

Although becoming 100% like a native speaker is impossible due to several factors that I'll talk about in this video, I'll show you how you can pass as one and really feel that you belong to a unique community of native speakers.

Stay tuned for more!

Filmed and edited by Pierluigi Siena

Music:

[VMRVid]

Perfect example of C2 vs. native: Americans don’t say “peasant” because we never had feudal history.

[LanguagesWithAndrew]

On a funny related note: most native speakers can't pass the C2 level exam in their own language (lots of technical grammar stuff most people either never knew or forgot even if they did at some point learn it in school).

[dinosilone]

Maybe the real question to ask yourself is “At what level of social interaction would I want to be taken seriously by native speakers in my target language?” Two examples from my own experience: My father grew up in Italy and immigrated to the USA after completing the classical liceo in Rome. He went on to get a PhD in the USA, married, had a family, and lived here for over 60 years. His speech and writing were much more sophisticated (and grammatically correct) than 99% (or better) of native American speakers. But he still had an accent - it wasn't the stereotyped Italian accent, in fact wasn't even recognizable as Italian. You could tell he was “foreign born". Despite that, he was always respected at all levels of interaction. I grew up speaking Italian and our dialect, and I could communicate entirely well - with the proper accent, body language, gestures, etc. But my level was determined mostly by my grandparents, relatives and other “paesani” in our circle (in NY, mid 20th Century). So, even though I have advanced degrees and am a professional, when I spoke Italian, I sounded like a peasant (a time-shifted peasant at that!). I was fluent at that level, but when I would interact with Italian customers and coworkers, I could tell that I was being judged harshly because my language was more appropriate for a peasant than a professional. I'd rather be in my father's position than mine, which is why I'm working really hard now to get to the "well-educated foreigner” level in Italian. Not native - I'll never be that in Standard Italian. But I can at least have a large vocabulary and get the grammar right. And every once in a while, I can throw in some dialect for some "color". :). Overall, I think that's a much better goal than " speaking like a native”.

[tuinglessinmiedo]

Great video and article! In my humble opinion, reaching a C2 level and sounding like a native speaker are 2 different goals. The C2 certificate is only a tool you can use in your CV and a good way to get a job. That's it. On the other hand, sounding like a native can be a goal but having a distinct accent can sometimes give you an edge, especially when you speak the language well.

[enesgulcek]

The one, who didn"t like the video, is probably the Danish Professor.

[thedavidguy]

Luca's point about cultural references changing in time is important. I'm American but when I hear much younger Americans speak I often don't get the cultural references, such as to music or movies or internet memes. It would be bizarre to claim I am not a native speaker even if I don't completely understand another American.

[dodgermartin]

In my American college, I had a woman from Japan as an English professor. She had a PhD in English, and taught Americans. But she also spoke with a heavy Japanese accent. I was the native speaker and she was the non-native. Even though she knew every bit of English grammar to perfection, nobody would ever mistake her for a native speaker.

[rsalc]

Luca your French impression was great! On a serious note. You are absolutely right: being a native includes cultural references and customs... things that have been acquired over many long years.

[SilviaKay]

I used to wish I was a native speaker of English, but now I don't really care. It is an unrealistic goal and I think it's much better to learn to embrace your own cultural identity (while appreciating others).

[earlworth]

"Peasant" - nearly spat my coffee out lol

[AnthonyLauder]

This recent series of videos from Luca has been amazing. A real gold mine of valuable insights and advise.

[KevinAbroad]

Luca, I love that you addressed the issue of "native-speaker"! Nativeness is not the synonym of "fluency"!

[lty]

i cant stop laughing every time he says peasant 🤣🤣 no hate luca ur amazing but it’s just hilarious

[ad-spiritus]

You’ve improved your English pronunciation, Luca. I remember a lot of little things sticking out as odd in your older videos. Your accent doesn’t immediately call attention to itself anymore. This is the most American I’ve heard you sound. 👍 Good work :) Quite close to native-like pronunciation indeed.

Also, if anyone in the comments doubts that you can truly achieve a native-like accent in English, look up Accent’s Way by Hadar on YouTube. She sounds genuinely like a native. I was shocked when I learned she wasn’t, and I am one!

[escrituratalks]

Most of people studying foreign languages will probably never reach the "native level" of fluency, and that's totally fine!
You don't need to sound or act in exact the same way as a native speaker in a foreign language would in order to have a good experience with the language.
I have a good level of English and French, I still have my accent, but I don't see any problem with that, people are able to understand me.
I think the main goal is to be able to communicate the ideas you have in the foreign language.

[guillermohernandezquintana]

The relevant challenge in a second language is fluency and "connection". Establishing the bridge for interacting with ideas, enhancing the collective value from a mere transactional communication. At this point, the richness of each experience matters, and team cognitive process emerges through a common identity or purpose. As you mentioned, body language, intonation counts as much as the message (7_38_55 rule from Albert Mehrabian) for achieving this goal, in other words, a true storyteller. Metaphors, stories, idiomatic expressions are so powerful in effective communication, and a good sample of it is your comparison: Abroad professor living a long time in the country, vs. a native peasant. The teacher has more tools for verbal and written communication, but from the cultural approach never at the same level of natives. Thanks for sharing.

[judylenomak]

Im from philippines and working in taiwan and currently learning mandarin and english as well. Im watching ur videos every single day and im learning alot from it.
Thanks much LUCA😊

[rodritel]

This is so accurate I could say it's a very important lesson to be taught when you are learning a language. It's awful knowing that a number of people confuse being at a C2 level and being a native speaker and for that reason they quit learning a language! I think don't even we can reach a c2 level in our own language if it's not through proper courses or studies, so for me it doesn't matter the level of your target language you are but the eager you are to learn it, and knowing more about other cultures, places or customs helps a lot. Cheers! Gracias Luca, te mereces más seguidores macho! ^_^

[deepdarkmidnight]

I do want to reach a C2 level in German but I don't want to sound native, just because I like my own accent in the language.

[kookosowy]

You're extremely inspired! Thanks for videos! BR from Poland!