Can non-native English speakers 'Blog' in American Engish?

18 replies
Hi warriors,

I like 'BLOGGING' very much because it enables me to share my thoughts with the rest of the world who may relate to what I write about,

But, my only concern is that I'm not a native English-speaker so I'm NOT sure how my audience will perceive my non-perfect grammar and expressions, I'm also worried about the so-called 'Grammar Nazis' Lol

What would you do if you were me?

Thanks,
CC
#american #blog #engish #english #nonnative #speakers
  • Profile picture of the author princetotem
    Judging from your post, you write better English than the majority of 'journalists/copywriters' at Buzzfeed.

    I'd say you're fine - don't forget, you can always add an 'about me' section to your blog or an 'about the author' short blog bio at the end of your posts with a widget.

    I think the only time you may run into problems is if you are using language that is technical and specific within a certain industry or niche, in which case, language can be a tricky area.
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    • Profile picture of the author CityCowboy
      Originally Posted by princetotem View Post

      Judging from your post, you write better English than the majority of 'journalists/copywriters' at Buzzfeed.

      I'd say you're fine - don't forget, you can always add an 'about me' section to your blog or an 'about the author' short blog bio at the end of your posts with a widget.

      I think the only time you may run into problems is if you are using language that is technical and specific within a certain industry or niche, in which case, language can be a tricky area.
      Thanks a lot mate for the motivating compliment

      I don't mind using a technical language in my niche. In fact, my problem is that my writing is kinda of too official and non-friendly... I don't know how to inject humor into my writing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    CC,

    Having a great blog doesn't require that your English be perfect, only that you are able to communicate effectively with your audience. Often, little mistakes and errors show that you are human and speak within your own persona.

    As for the "Grammar Nazis" . . . don't worry about it. Some people have nothing better to do than to look for the faults in others. These people will always be around so pay them no mind and they will move on to harass other bloggers.

    The best to you,

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author JonnyGuru
    Banned
    90% of the world speaks non-perfect English and they all Blog- so you're in good company
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  • Profile picture of the author Shalev Levi
    Grammar Nazis don't speak American English.

    Anyways, yeah, you just need to learn the correct keywords. Find a good content editor and ask her to feedback your pieces. Ask her for common or trending american slangs. Try to get the feedback on a verbal way and not only in written comments.

    Good luck...
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by JonnyGuru View Post

    90% of the world speaks non-perfect English and they all Blog- so you're in good company
    Hells bells, 90% of the USA doesn't speak perfect English. Including me.

    As for "American English", you aren't talking about a single homogeneous lexicon (or, in plain English, we don't all talk alike). Take someone from back Bay Boston, someone from the Bayou south, someone from west Texas and someone from the Valley in LA. Put them in a room, give them something to discuss, then sit back and listen. It'll be totally awesome, y'all, fer shure...

    Cowboy, don't try to force humor into your writing. It doesn't work. There are professional writers who still cringe at trying to inject humor. If your natural speaking style tends toward the formal, go with it.

    As for the grammar Nazis, google around for a copy of Paul Myers' "Wombat Report" - it's well worth the read.
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  • Profile picture of the author BanksS
    Hi there City Cowboy

    Boy oh boy, if I had a nickle for every time someone told me that they couldn't Blog because of not being a Native English Speaker, I would be rich. (And the first nickle would have come from me!)

    You speak/write English better than 99% of the IM'ers online, so you are already leaps and bounds ahead of everyone!

    With regards to "grammar nazis" and the rest... Screw it! They don't really do or say much anyways when it come to a blog. Heck, if you want to see a badly written post or anything of the sorts that just screams out "horrible" writing, then I urge you to go ahead and look at any of the content on my blog. (Seriously!)

    The best part, I still make a decent amount of money from a "badly" written blog!

    So trust me when we all say, just keep on going and rock it just like YOU can!

    From a fellow non-native English speaker!

    Steven Banks
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    No matter what you do online, somebody is gonna find fault with it, so don't let other peoples opinions hold you back mate.

    You like blogging, that's all that matters right? So who cares what anybody else thinks?

    Go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author conradomahy524
    After testing literally dozens of ghostwriters over the years, I've come to the conclusion that the best writers come from the USA and Canada. Most of the buyers I am trying to attract are based in the USA so that probably has something to do with it lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author PvPGuy
    Ok funny story.
    I am mostly content with my writing style, so I was a bit hesitant when I hired a site manager for one of my sites. She was not a native speaker, but it didn't take long before we started receiving feedback that I (pen name) seemed to be in a better mood. Ha. I'm always in a good mood!

    Opt-in rate improved. Her writing, instead of me was the only change. She ran that site for 3 years and we never had any major issues. I've always found that most people are tolerant to minor mistakes if you are sincere in your effort.

    I've read several of your posts over the last few months CC, and didn't notice any issues. I'd just warn you, watch out for sarcastic comments on your blog! Don't want to over react Depending on your grasp of the language, sarcasm can be a difficult one to catch.

    Best regards sir!
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  • If you can consistently write as well as your post is composed, I think you should be fine. It's the content that matters really. It's just that, if the writing is terrible, it is hard to take the content seriously.
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  • Profile picture of the author aizaku
    Dude, you write well enough

    dont worry about it and grab the bull by its horns

    go after that american audience, if you are so inclined.

    embrace who you are and share it with your audience

    -Ike Paz
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  • Profile picture of the author ebiz01
    Don't worry! Go and blog, you even have advantage over Native English speakers, you will have an accent that most people will love. As for Nazis, they are everywhere, ignore them. After all, there is no such thing as bad publicity! Even if they come to hate and comment bad things, dislike and make fun of you, you will eventually be paid for that so relax
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnny33
    Based on the quality of writing in this question, you'll be just fine. Try reading your articles out loud to make sure they flow well. Hearing the words will make it easier to tell if something is phrased awkwardly or doesn't work. Also, don't hesitate to lean on others for editing and advice. Have fun and you'll see that the more you write in English, the more comfortable you'll be doing it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Catherine Bueno
    Hello there,

    You can definitely blog and be a successful writer/blogger even if you are not a Native English speaker or you only have English as a second language! The key is to study the language, practice it daily, and you will get better before you know it!

    In addition, the best thing you can do to be successful in blogging is to plan out first on what niche you would want to write about, and research well on it. Brainstorm and gather all the ideas and information you will garner through the planning process, and write a good article.

    If you have problems with your writing, and you are worried about the Grammar Nazis out there, why not make these Grammar Nazis a motivation to get better with your English? As a blogger, I believe that having a perfect grammar is essential to be able to convey the right message to your readers. Having perfect grammar also indirectly proves your ability and credibility as a writer. Thus, it is not something you should forget, but given your situation, it can be something to take care of later.

    To summarize, I recommend you these steps to follow:
    1. Practice writing as well as speaking in English (read a lot and learn from it)
    2. Know what niche your blog will be about, prepare well for it and write it with all your best.
    3. Take care of your English grammar and composition.

    Hope this helps you. Best of luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by CityCowboy View Post

    Hi warriors,

    I like 'BLOGGING' very much because it enables me to share my thoughts with the rest of the world who may relate to what I write about,

    But, my only concern is that I'm not a native English-speaker so I'm NOT sure how my audience will perceive my non-perfect grammar and expressions, I'm also worried about the so-called 'Grammar Nazis' Lol

    What would you do if you were me?

    Thanks,
    CC
    Fugk-em

    You're fine. If it makes you feel better tell them in the very beginning. But from what I see you got nothing to worry about
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi CC,

    Dive in and write buddy.

    Write, write, blog and blog, and you will improve.

    Supportive, uplifting folks will offer helpful advice. Listen to them.

    Critics may offer negative feedback. See where you can improve/better serve them, but ignore the negative undertones.

    Write, write and keep on writing.

    Happy Blogging.
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  • Profile picture of the author chippen2188
    Hey CC,

    I don't know if you have heard it somewhere else but there is a chrome extension that is called Grammarly (it's free). Every time I have written a blog post in Word and copy it to a new post in Wordpress, Grammarly is analyzing the text and tells me where there are errors when it comes to English grammar. It's a fantastic extension if you are not native-English. Even when writing this reply, Grammarly is scanning what I write and tells me if I do something wrong
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