right so im a very new muslim and i just have some questions about prayer. So first off, can you pray in english bc i dont speak arabic and people seem to think it's supposed to be in arabic and i just want to know. Second, do you have to have a prayer mat? I have no way to get one.

If you dont know the prayers in Arabic, ask someone who knows them and try to learn it. If you really cant find anyone to teach you, I would honestly tell you to just do it in english.

For the prayer mat, you can pray on something who has to be clean. Like a clean blanket for example. But idk man, Do you have anyone who knows about those things? Try to find some info on google if you cant ask someone.

Im so sorry if it isnt helpful. I would recommend you wait a little longer for someone else to reply (someone who knows better than me)....

When it comes to approaching God, it's the intention that is THE important thing. Many Muslims of the current orthodoxy would probably caught up in the orthopraxy as well ('you've gotta say everything in Arabic with a great accent' etc) but even many of them would be cool with you not having a prayer mat.

There are generally two approaches to religion.

The first one is to fit in with the community. This includes copying the people around you to do whatever it is they're doing. The main purpose for this is not to approach God, but to approach people. In this case you should copy them as best as you can.

The second one is the other way around, to really seriously approach God instead of people. This one really depends on your own beliefs about spirituality and traditions. For example, if you believe that the really old-fashioned rituals are not that much important, then so be it. On the other hand, if you believe in the traditions, then you should follow them.

Since you look like you're using the first approach, I suggest you ask the people around you of what's appropriate.
Incidentally, speaking from 15 years of growing in Indonesia, I can testify that people can use gibberish that only sounds a little bit Arabic and it's still ok. Depends on where you are though.

Dear brother, I apologize for not being really helpful. But, the answer your first question I suggest you refer all your question you have to an Imam in a Mosque near your place. How ? Try using google map to search the nearest Mosque. The 2nd question is, you don't need a praying mat.You could also perform solat on a carpet(a plain one). As long as you make sure the area you do your solat is clean if you have a prayer mat it's much better you use it. . That's all I could. Assalamualaikum.