How do you feel for non-natives’ terrible English?

[groopy7777]

I want to speak English fluently and want to write English naturally as native speakers do, so I learn English every day. Regarding the writing skills, I want to know how native speakers feel for sentences that non-native speakers wrote. Here in Japan, we are often told that, as if it is a kind of a spell, English is nothing but a tool and we don’t have to pay attention to grammar or structures. Due to that, it seems to me that Japanese often writes terrible English on business, even in a contract requiring more accuracy. I sometimes think that learning English hard is in vain, because terrible English can make one understood. My question is how you feel for non-natives’ terrible English on business. I want to know native-speakers' real intention.Thank you.

[blouen]

So aren't we, your fellow non-natives, invited in this thread?

* May I suggest another question for the non-natives.

*** How do we, non-natives, feel when our English skills were compared to that of the natives'?

[David L.]

How do we feel? In conversation, a native speaker can 'fill in the gaps' and understand what you are saying. I feel an admiration that you have taken the trouble to learn English, while many of others have not attempted a second language.
HOWEVER - it is a different story when it comes to reading manuals that come with electronic products from Japan and Korea, where specific technical instructions are being conveyed and the English can be incomprehensible. Why can't electronic companies at least ask a native speaker to 'proof-read' their manuals?

[Ravage]

I can generally tell when someone is or isn't trying. I definitely have more respect for someone that is making an effort. If you are learning English for potential job opportunities it is very important to be able to communicate well. Try addressing your elders using non formal words and explain that it's not important you address them respectfully as long as they understand you.

[oitafish]

Originally Posted by David L.

Why can't electronic companies at least ask a native speaker to 'proof-read' their manuals?

I've asked this question many many times in my career. Now I work for a small Japanese company that is asking me to do just that.

I think David L. is on the right track. When chit-chatting, it doesn't matter so much. When communicating by writing, it gives the impression that you are not so smart or are childish. In the US, most people are not used to communicating with non-native speakers and when they see things written by non-natives, they assume the writer isn't very smart. People who have a lot of experience with non-native speakers understand that this is a mis-conception.

One example is this: I very often see the words "wanna" and "gonna" written out by non-native speakers. To a native speaker, that makes the writer look like a 3rd or 4th grade student (9 or 10 years old) because we are taught throughout our entire education by our English teachers that there are no such words as "wanna" and "gonna" and most people have quit writing those by the end of 4th grade.

When I first started working at my current company, I corrected one of our professional translators by telling her she should write "want to" instead of "wanna". She said that in all the years she has been studying English, that was the first time anyone ever told her that.