I must first admit I was guilty of making the assumption that colored people did not speak "correct" English. I have since learned this is certainly not the case. I've been pondering since we've been talking about A.A.V.E. why I held that assumption and I think it is primarily related to region. I grew up in Montana in a city where we didn't see many colored people at all. Therefore, my exposure was limited. As for keeping that assumption out of the classroom, I think exposing them to it right away can give them awareness. Exposing them to the dialect and letting them know it's accepted and making it clear it's not "bad" English rather just a different form. I do not think we will be able to completely keep the assumptions of society out of our classroom but I do believe we can keep our students well educated. I plan to teach middle school age and I think students are very easily influenced at that age so exposing them right off the bat will be beneficial to them in high school as it won't be a surprise.
I think we are quite ignorant however if we expect our students to speak "standard English" if they are raised with a different dialect. I also feel though that if the student is speaking a completely foreign language we can expect them to speak English. If we English speakers travel to a country where English is not their first language, I would expect to need to learn their language to function in society.
Hi Kelsey,
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that students should be exposed to different dialects at a young age and taught that they are not incorrect, I think that your last statement may be a little unrealistic. Do American's really expect to have to learn another language before traveling, or do they assume that people in other countries will already know english? English has become dominant around the world and unfortunately, more often than not it is expected that everyone know a minimal amount no matter what country you are in. We expect people to come here with a least a partial understanding of english, and if they do not learn fast there is very few around to help them understand. However, when American's travel, it is just the opposite. It is very common that english speakers go into a foreign country expecting to get by the entire time only ever learning basic phrases in their native language. This is a very sad truth, but more often than not, english speakers can be successful in another country for a surprisingly long time without ever learning another language.
-Hillary Calef
If I were to return to college as a freshman I would minor in English and major in a foreign language(s). I think you are correct to have both English speakers and non-English speakers to learn what is necessary for both to function in their desired capacity in that region. I do not think it would be totally beneficial single out any dialects in a high school class to avoid an atmosphere of victimization or agenda. I would want as I hope most English teachers would want their students to respect and enjoy the totally bodacious variety of English.
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