Definition:
Foreigner talk is the modified speech register that native speakers use when communicating with non-native speakers perceived as having limited proficiency. It typically involves slower speech rate, simpler vocabulary, shorter sentences, more repetition, exaggerated intonation, and sometimes grammatical simplification. It is a form of modified input that occurs naturally in NS–NNS interaction.
In-Depth Explanation
Common features of foreigner talk:
| Feature | Example |
|---|---|
| Slower speech rate | Speaking at 60–70% of normal pace |
| Simpler vocabulary | “big” instead of “enormous” |
| Shorter sentences | “You go here. Then turn left.” vs. “What you’ll want to do is head down this way and hang a left at the light.” |
| More repetition | “The station. Train station. It’s over there.” |
| Exaggerated pronunciation | Over-articulating each word |
| Present tense preference | “Yesterday I go to store” (ungrammatical simplification) |
| Topic fronting | “The hotel — you know where it is?” |
| Louder volume | Speaking louder (as if volume aids comprehension) |
Beneficial vs. problematic foreigner talk:
Not all foreigner talk helps. Research distinguishes:
Helpful modifications:
- Slower pace with natural pauses
- Elaboration (adding context, not removing complexity)
- Comprehension checks (“Do you understand?”)
- Repetition and paraphrase
Unhelpful modifications:
- Ungrammatical simplification (“You no want?” instead of “Don’t you want any?”) — provides incorrect input
- Excessive loudness — doesn’t aid comprehension
- Exaggerated “pidgin” speech — can feel condescending and provides non-target-like models
Foreigner talk in Japanese:
When Japanese speakers address foreigners, common adjustments include:
- Switching to です/ます forms (polite but simpler than casual speech in some ways)
- Using simpler kanji or adding furigana in writing
- Slowing down and adding pauses between phrases
- Switching to English (sometimes unhelpfully, when the learner wants Japanese practice)
- Using やさしい日本語 (yasashii nihongo, “easy Japanese”) — an increasingly formalized register used in public signage, disaster communication, and government services
Related Terms
See Also
Research
- Ferguson, C. A. (1975). Toward a characterization of English foreigner talk. Anthropological Linguistics, 17(1), 1–14. — Pioneering study describing the linguistic features of foreigner talk.
- Long, M. H. (1983). Native speaker/non-native speaker conversation and the negotiation of comprehensible input. Applied Linguistics, 4(2), 126–141. — Analyzes how foreigner talk and interactional modifications facilitate comprehension.