Deconstructing the native English speaker identity: Saudi university students’ ideologised perceptions and underlying factors

This study investigates perceptions and underlying factors related to the native English speaker (NES) identity among Saudi university students. A questionnaire was distributed to 173 respondents to elicit their perceptions about the essence and construction of the NES identity. Descriptive statistics and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were employed to analyse the data. The results reveal a complex picture of perceptions, with evidence suggesting the equation of NES identity with specific nationalities, ethno-cultural backgrounds, physical attributes and linguistic and pedagogic competencies. The EFA yielded a four-factor solution, representing distinct aspects of the NES identity, namely, national identity of NES, requirements to be NES, features of NES and home country of NES. The findings indicate a persistent multi-faceted influence of native-speakerism ideology on the construction of the NES identity, showing that it is strongly associated with Anglophonic nationalities, European descent and linguistic superiority. However, some results reveal open-minded views about the NES identity, recognising its potential fluidity. Overall, the study contributes to discussions on language ideologies and contemporary perspectives on English nativeness, challenging simplistic categorisations based solely on language ability and highlighting the complexity with which language perceptions are expressed.