First language

[Raymott]

Re: New member's 'first language' field.
I note that Red5 has explained this as 'the language you use the most'. (Under News/Required profile fields)
This explains why so many people list "English" as their first language when they obviously do not have even close to a native command of it.
Wouldn't 'first language' be better defined as its usual meaning? ie. native/mother language?
I have problems replying to people who have 'English' listed as their first language, and who obviously don't have a native command of English. It's hard to know what to assume.

[konungursvia]

Census Canada defines first language as "the first language learnt and still understood." I agree with Ray about the objection... but I've seen people get offended when required to list their native language, or admit they're not native English speakers (cf. race).

[Raymott]

Census Canada defines first language as "the first language learnt and still understood." I agree with Ray about the objection... but I've seen people get offended when required to list their native language, or admit they're not native English speakers (cf. race).

If someone is offended by this requirement, they can always put a . or give some silly answer, as we occasionally see. I'm not sure why students do this, because it is often very helpful to know a student's L1 when trying to understand and answer their questions.