"near-native speaker"의 정의 및 의미

Who is a "near-native speaker"?

A near-native speaker refers to an individual who has attained a level of language proficiency very close to that of a native speaker. This person typically demonstrates a high degree of fluency, accuracy, and cultural understanding in the language, often exhibiting minimal accent or grammatical errors. Near-native speakers may have learned the language through immersion, long-term residence in a region where the language is spoken, or extensive study and practice. While they may not have been born into the language, their skills allow them to communicate effectively and naturally in various contexts, making them indistinguishable from native speakers in many situations.