Native, Indigenous or Local?

Hello and welcome to Fransy Fancy English! Today we will be looking at the subtle differences between these three words.

NATIVE TO A PLACE (adjective)

NATIVE OF A PLACE (noun)

We talk about our native countries and towns when we refer to the country we were born. There are native traditions and customs when you visit a new country. The adjective native can be used with people, animals and plants but be cautious when you want to mention the place of origin. Use the preposition 'to'. 

"The tiger is native to India."   Native is an adjective. Use 'to'.

You can use 'native' as a noun when you want to refer to someone who was born in a place. You can also use it with an animal or plant that grows there. When you name the location, the correct preposition is "of". 

"The coconut palm is a native of Malaysia." Native is a noun here. Use "of'.

"My friend has become a native of  Mexico."

"You can easily tell the natives from the tourists."

Let's not forget about our native language, aka first language, native tongue or mother tongue. The language of the country we were born in!

"What's your native language?"

INDIGENOUS TO (adjective) Formal

Native and indigenous can be used in the same way to describe people, plants or animals which exist in a particular region. Indigenous is an adjective. We can talk about indigenous languages, tribes, people or plants. If goods are produced locally, they are indigenous and aren't brought from abroad. 

"These plants are indigenous to Canada."

 "Giant pandas are indigenous to China."

 

"The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand."

The terms Native Americans, American Indians, First Americans and  Indigenous Americans refer to the Indigenous peoples of the United States, including Hawaii and territories of the United States.

 

LOCAL (adjective)

LOCAL (noun)

The adjective local, relates to a city, town or a small area rather that a country. Local people, businesses, markets, facilities and news belong to the place someone lives.

"I know the local lingo very well."

"When we travel, we try to try all the local specialties."

"How often do you shop at a local store?" 

The people who live in a place are called "the locals" and this is a plural noun.

"The locals are hospitable and welcoming."

"My husband asked one of the locals to recommend a restaurant."

"Whenever I travel, I try to blend in with the locals."

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