non-native speaker

• NNS (initialism)

non-native +‎ speaker or non- +‎ native speaker

non-native speaker (plural non-native speakers)

1. (linguistics) Someone who has another native tongue than the language being used.

   Synonym: allophone

   Antonym: native speaker

   • 2019, Irina S. Lebedeva, Svetlana N. Orlova, “Semantics and pragmatics of the double modal ‘might could’”, in Training, Language and Culture, volume 3, number 2, →DOI:

     Although double modality is outside the scope of Standard English and is not addressed in the school syllabus, it is a widespread phenomenon which non-native speakers of English might find confusing and should at least be aware of.