Growing up in a small town in Maine, I didn't realize that I even had an accent until I traveled to Washington, DC with other high schoolers from around the nation. My roommate was from Alabama. At first, I wondered if we were even speaking the same language, her Southern drawl sounded so foreign to my ear. That first day, we spent our free time comparing how we each spoke certain phrases, then laughing at just how different we sounded. I think it was eye- opening for each of us to learn that the same words could be spoken so differently. However, unlike Dowdy's or Smith's experiences, I never felt that my Maine accent was wrong, or bad; just different. I wonder now if others made judgements about my intelligence, based on my accent. And, "ayah" (yes) it certainly makes me mad to think that they may have thought I was less capable because of the way I talked.
Given Trinidad's long history as an English colony, I can certainly understand Dowdy's animosity and resentment toward her "oppressors" language. I'm glad that she found a way to honor her native language later in her life. But I'm puzzled by some of her views, which seem extreme. I see a difference between written language and spoken language. So I don't agree with her view that local papers should be written in the Trinidadian dialect. To me, since Trinidadian is a dialect of English, not a language, writing should still be in standard English.
As educators, it is still our responsibility to teach standard English. However, we certainly need to find a way to honor the local dialect and we must never make judgements about someone's intelligence based on their oral language.
I thought it was interesting that Dowdy seemed to feel judged more by her peers for speaking standard English and Smith felt judged by educators because he didn't speak standard English. Yet both felt a strong allegiance toward their native dialect. Clearly, the predjudices run both directions and there is a need for understanding on all sides.
Jayne Thompson, Native Maine-ah.
Comments (5)
Your comment that we must teach Standard English raises a question. What IS Standard English and who decides what that is? When you get down to it, even if we were to make English the official language, which English would that be? I wonder why people are so afraid of those who speak differently?
I do agree with you that I have a responsibility to teach my students what people perceive as "correctness." I often tell them, "We can talk this way, but in writing it is better to do this." That way they see that writing in school is more formal and requires a certain register or standard. Do you do that?
Ashley Catlett
Posted by Ashley Catlett | January 18, 2009 9:42 PM
Posted on January 18, 2009 21:42
Ashley,
Yes, I think there is a standard English. You stated that you teach that standard in writing so isn't it the same standard when speaking. For me it is not that I am afraid of those who speak differently but more a worry of how would we communicate if we did not speak a common language. For instance if we all wrote on this blog in different languages we wouldn't be able to communicate and this blog would not be productive.
Amy Spade
Posted by Amy Spade | January 20, 2009 12:00 PM
Posted on January 20, 2009 12:00
Jayne,
I grew up in Denver, Colorado, so moving to small town Lexington, NC was very difficult for me. We made the move during high school. I felt so out of place. I didn't have a "group" I could belong to because it was such a small town. It was difficult for me to communicate with people, because I truly did not understand them. I became very shy and withdrawn because of it. My mom and I would make jokes about we couldn't understand people. But I wonder how people looked at me? Did they think of me as a snob?
When I travel back to Colorado my friends make fun of my southern accent (I guess I picked one up!). But I don't get upset about it. Living in NC for over 10 years, I was bound to pick up something. And it is who I am.
Anyway, I thought it was interesting, hearing about you and your roommate. I am glad you had a bonding experience over it!
Posted by Sarah Feinman | January 24, 2009 10:58 AM
Posted on January 24, 2009 10:58
Jayne,
Wow I am learning so much about myself as I read the blogs of my classmates. If you would've asked me a few years ago if students should be required to write in standard English, my answer would've been a resounding YES! Today, I am not so sure. How many great writers have been stifled in our classrooms because we insisted that their writing didn't sound right? And instead of taking our "suggestions" they just stopped writing. Period. I think back to my first year teaching in my 4th grade classroom. I had a male student who loved to write. Every time he and I would conference I was constantly questioning his use of language. As the year went on I noticed that he wasn't my most enthusiastic writer any more. But as I sit here and reflect on some of the things he wrote I can't help but feeling like a dream killer. That student had a lot to say and a powerful way with his words.
Posted by Cherrita Hayden-McMillan | January 26, 2009 10:32 PM
Posted on January 26, 2009 22:32
Jayne,
I'm glad you posted about your dialect and how you experienced "difference" for the first time! I've enjoyed reading all the posts about how people become "aware" of their own differences and how they respond to them.
Your point about making judgments regarding intellect is important. Perhaps that is what minorities must feel. In other words, their race -- as it intersects with language -- makes their "difference" much more complicated than north/south dialects, I would think.
Posted by Alecia Jackson | January 29, 2009 9:33 AM
Posted on January 29, 2009 09:33