The title of the preface spoke to me and I believe is the key theme that runs throughout the two chapters we read. Both Dowdy and Smith wrote moving accounts of how their lives were changed by judgment of a dialect they spoke. How sad to have a life negatively affected by a dialect you thought was proper! I found myself wondering throughout both of these chapters, "WHO says this dialect isn't correct?" It seemed as though, in both cases, schools & educators were the cause, and again, I found myself wondering, "what makes THEM the experts?"
In the preface, the Delpit told a story of a young, Hispanic boy and his grandmother in a waiting room. I found myself wanting to push through the pages of the book to come to their defense when the older, white woman told the pair that "he should learn English." I feel that many English speaking people feel this same way; we are snobs about our language, feeling that everyone should speak it, everyone should understand it, but what makes English speakers the experts on language? Why should there be a certain way of speaking? Why take all the diversity out of this world?
Before this year, I had never dealt with non-English speakers in a classroom before. This semester, however, I have two Hispanic boys in my Freshman English class. One has been in the country 3 years and can speak English pretty well; one has been here about 3 months and cannot speak much English at all. I have enjoyed the challenge of having these boys in my class, but have noticed that they really hold back when trying to communicate with me. Even the boy who speaks English well will hesitate when asking me a question or answering me. I can completely understand their hesitation though. Put me in a classroom in Mexico, and I'd surely hesitate as well! I am sure these boys have the same confusion that Dowdy and Smith had when wondering how to act and speak between the two environments they are in each day.
Even though I've grown up in the South, my Southern dialect is not all that strong. Many people are surprised to learn that I'm from the South when I travel. I'm not sure why this is, but it has definitely made me more aware of other dialects around me while helping me to accept each separate one as it's own form of communication. Isn't that what language is for anyhow? I loved one of Dowdy's final thoughts at the end of her chapter: "The war will be won when she who is the marginalized comes to speak more in her own language, and people accept her communication as valid as representative" (pg. 13). Language is communication. No matter how one speaks or what dialect or accent they used, if communication is achieved, then I feel that it should be accepted.
Christy Rivers
Comments (7)
Although I strongly believe we need to teach our students how important it is to enjoy and celebrate the differences that make us unique, I also believe that if educators do not take on the role of teaching Standard English then who will? I am not saying that any other language is wrong but most countries have a standard language, so why shouldn't we. I think this was very important for me as I grew up. I have lived all across the United States and went to 13 or so different schools. My teachers ability and willingness to teach us to be accepting of each other while teaching us a language that unified us was vital to my survival as a military child.
Posted by Amy Spade | January 25, 2009 1:00 PM
Posted on January 25, 2009 13:00
I related to your comment about wanting to push through the pages of the book to come to the defense of the Hispanics. I work with several people who constantly complain that they(Hispanics)~
live here now they all need to learn to speak English. They voice the opinion that the adults should learn as well as the children in school. I find myself wanting to defend the Hispanics, and thinking terrible thoughts of those who voice such opinions. We all live here, and perhaps they are trying to learn English. We certainly know it is not an easy languagae to master.
Posted by SuSu Watson | January 25, 2009 8:57 PM
Posted on January 25, 2009 20:57
Amy,
Yes, I agree with you. I should have addressed that in my post. Standard English is crucial for students to learn; without it, we wouldn't be able to communicate as freely, esp. in media, professional settings, school, etc. I just wish that with the learning of standard English, those who didn't originally speak that way didn't feel as though their language was any less unique and important.
-Christy
Posted by Christy Rivers | January 26, 2009 10:59 AM
Posted on January 26, 2009 10:59
You know, in several posts (including mine), the stereotype of the "southern" dialect has been mentioned, but what about prejudices that people from the Northern region experience down here?
My fiance is originally from upstate New York, and works in a local school district. Because of his northern accent, he is scrutinized more than me by some parents. In the past, when he has made a phone call home, he has received a response similar to this: "Well, you aren't from around here...you don't understand," or, "You think you're smarter than me because you're from the North." Obviously, I would not get this reaction from the same parent.
I think the pendulum swings both ways.
Posted by Heather Coe | January 26, 2009 7:32 PM
Posted on January 26, 2009 19:32
Christy,
I think you have hit on the most powerful word in this debate, judgement. Judgements are being made in situations all over this globe about official languages, recognized dialects, correct translations, and etc.... On a smaller scale, judgements are happening right now with county schools in North Carolina and ESL education standards and requirements. Judgements will occur tomorrow morning when a teacher refuses to allow a child to answer in their native language in an English class. Who does hold the power to stand in judgement over what is acceptable and what isn't? Do we present standard English as a "have-to" thus causing fear to creep inside for someone who struggles. A sense of inadequacy along with a myriad of other negative feelings ensue creating an embittered student with a distaste for a language that is supposed to bring him success. I am so thankful that when I traveled to Spain and botched just about every word I tried to phonetically sound out from my travel dictionary, I was shown grace. I was also witness to a lot of laughter which served as an excellent common denominator. Eventually, effective communication was had and the pastry I was seeking was tucked safely inside my bag. I had a pleasant experience with a foreign language. We need to focus less on the judgement and more on making something foreign, something attainable.
Posted by Stefoni Shaw | January 26, 2009 8:47 PM
Posted on January 26, 2009 20:47
You are right, Heather. My roommate in college was from New Jersey, and she definitely received snap judgments from others once she opened her mouth. Northerners face discrimination as well as those from the mid-west, etc. Many people think that if you talk with a "yankee" accent, you're rude and pushy. Likewise, if you speak with a southern drawl, you're a redneck and stupid. The pendulum swings both ways--absolutely--no matter where you live and how you speak.
Posted by Christy Rivers | January 27, 2009 11:48 AM
Posted on January 27, 2009 11:48
Christy,
You ask a key question,
What makes them the experts?
Something that your question made me think of is how language and dialect (as it is intertwined with power) is largely a middle-class construct. Historically, the Queen's English was learned and spoken by those who could afford education. And those who could afford education wound up leading our country and educating our young. So there is a deep, deep historical root to your question, one that has survived centuries.
I look forward to hearing more about your Hispanic students this semester and how their presence might help you to think about the issues in the course.
Posted by Alecia Jackson | January 28, 2009 8:20 PM
Posted on January 28, 2009 20:20