Alex Chaihorsky wrote:

2. Your passage about non-native English speakers is a bit alarming.
Have we
been that annoying in our misuse of the language of Shakespeare and
Chaucer
so that you felt compelled to hint us of our shortcomings?

Oh, no... he was suggesting that non-native English speakers know the
rules of English far better than native speakers, and in general, that
is true. That doesn't mean that non-native speakers actually speak
better English (although that is true on occasion, as well), but in
general they know the rules better. In other words, we know when
something *is* right, but not *why* it is right.

I have a Bachelor's degree in English writing and Literature, and
Master's degree in English Education (I'm trained to be an English
teacher), and do you know how many grammar classes I took at the
University? One. And 10 years later, my knowledge of English grammar
is still very native (ie., I *usually* know when something is right,
but not why). I'm more knowledgeable than most people, but that's
really not saying much.

Now, I believe I just opened myself up to scrutiny, and I'm sure the
above passage is full of mistakes. Sigh...

Cathy Weeks