Here are some key characteristics of a nonnative speaker:
* Learned the language after childhood: Nonnative speakers usually learn a language after their first language has been established.
* May have an accent: They might have a noticeable accent, meaning they speak the language with a pronunciation or intonation pattern that differs from native speakers.
* May make grammatical errors: While their grammar may be quite good, they might sometimes make mistakes that native speakers wouldn't.
* May have a limited vocabulary: Their vocabulary might be smaller or less nuanced than that of a native speaker.
* May struggle with idiomatic expressions: They may find it difficult to understand or use slang, idioms, or other informal language.
It's important to note:
* Being a nonnative speaker does not mean someone is bad at speaking a language. They can become very proficient and even fluent.
* There are many different levels of nonnative proficiency, from basic understanding to near-native fluency.
* The term "nonnative speaker" is often used in contrast to "native speaker," but it's not intended to be derogatory.
Ultimately, being a nonnative speaker simply means that you learned a language later in life and have a unique perspective and experience with that language.