These three articles are connected in that they all focus on various forms of language and how language should really be spoken. Dowdy was forced to speak “the right English” instead of the way she was brought up speaking. The kids at her school all made fun of her when she said “ovuh dyuh” for “over there.” Dowdy believes that people should not be forced into speaking a different way just to fit in with the crowd. This article reminded me of my deep, southern accent and how I should speak. When I became a teacher, I told myself I basically needed to “code switch” to speak the language a teacher should speak. I was so used to saying “ain’t, ya’ll, what’cha doin, etc.” I told myself if I was going to be a teacher, I couldn’t talk like that anymore. For about a week, I tried saying you all, you guys, what are you doing, etc. Talking this way actually felt like a foreign language to me (much like the authors in the article felt). I agree with the authors in that I couldn’t just change who I was to fit the “right” teacher lingo. I quickly realized that I was southern, talked with a strong southern accent, and just couldn’t stop what I had always known to “fit in.” Once I went back to “ya’ll” things started flowing more smoothly in my classroom.
I don’t think people should be forced into being something they’re not. If you speak with an accent, you should use it and be proud of it, not ashamed of it. I was so glad when Maya got to speak Ebonics in her new school and felt much better about herself doing it. I believe as long as a person’s language is understood and he or she can effectively communicate with others, it shouldn’t matter how they speak. For example, I have a boy in my class this year who can’t talk. The doctors and speech teachers don’t know why he can’t talk, but he just mumbles sounds. When I first got this child at the beginning of the year, I must admit, I was guilty of assuming he wasn’t going to be very smart because he couldn’t talk. After spending a year with this student, I found out that even though he couldn’t talk back to me, he could still comprehend what I was saying. He did fairly well at math, could read small words, and had normal reading comprehension skills. I quickly figured out that just because this child couldn’t communicate with me like the others in my class, he still was capable of learning. I agree with Delpit, when she wrote that we shouldn’t assume cognitive deficiency just because a person’s communication skills may be different than our own.
The Obamas really should not have to “code switch” their language depending on what race they’re around. I believe people should be allowed to be who they are, and not be forced to communicate in a way that is unnatural for them.
Comments (7)
I am not sure I can agree with this idea that every form of English is created equal, nor that it is wrong in every instance to judge people by the way they speak. I think in many cases language is impacted by and reflects intelligence and education. If I was going to the doctor I would want someone well read, with a wide vocabulary of medical terminology, who can articulate in both the medical jargon as well as in everyday language the nature of the problem. A doctor’s language is impacted by the education he or she has. We make judgments about the way people speak based on stereotypes because a lot of times they are founded in truth. I don’t know any doctors, lawyers or public officials who speak Ebonics in the public arena, although I am sure there are a few who speak it privately at home. The majority of our leaders speak the Queens English, while a large number of black, white and Hispanic under educated and impoverished peoples do not. The language of the educated is currently Standard English and not speaking it will negatively impact how out students are perceived.
Rebecca
Posted by Rebecca Ashby | June 5, 2010 12:05 PM
Posted on June 5, 2010 12:05
After talking about dialect in a previous class I agree that each person's dialect is special to their identity. I do believe that some are more accepted than others, but a person should not feel inferior because of the way that they speak. I agree that we should not judge a person based on their speech or language, but I am as guilty of that as anyone.
Posted by Michelle Moffitt | June 5, 2010 2:14 PM
Posted on June 5, 2010 14:14
I do not think that we should just people on their speech or language but I do agree with Rebecca, I think that if you are going into a field ie: doctor, you should be able to talk like a doctor and know what you are talking about. I do not think that people should give up their accent but i do think that if someone does not speak proper English they should learn how to.
Posted by Natalie Enns | June 5, 2010 4:17 PM
Posted on June 5, 2010 16:17
I believe that it is hard to code switch. Teachers are under a great deal of pressure. We must speak correctly, teach a certain way to ensure that our students pass the test, use a particular program to teach each subject. In many ways teaching our students is in the hands of the people that sit in the county office of your school system. I have found that speaking correctly doesn't mean losing your dialect or culture. There are times when I use words like ya'll with my students. I think the important thing is to teach your students that we have different dialects that we use when speaking but there are times when you must think before you speak in order for others to understand and appreciate what is being said.
Posted by Erin Whisnant | June 6, 2010 11:59 AM
Posted on June 6, 2010 11:59
I see what you are saying in that people shouldn't be judged by their dialect and they should feel free to speak in whatever manner they choose. The truth is that is not the world we live in. Even in the article the African American woman was questioned about her intellect because of her dialect. As someone who is from the south I know that I have been in social situations where I was thought of as being less intellegent because of my accent. I can't nor do I want to change my accent but I also think it is important that in some settings I know how to speak with correct pronunciation and use words and phrases that will contradict my accent. I don't agree with being judged because of our accents or the way we speak, but that is the reality.
Posted by Katie Templeton | June 8, 2010 11:03 AM
Posted on June 8, 2010 11:03
I found myself in the same situation and like you I decided it was too difficult. I had the opportunity to have a student teacher this year and her supervisor wrote her up for saying "ya'll" I think. I feel that if I am myself and proud of where I come from then that will rub off on my students. It is definitely a battle to figure out what is the right or wrong thing to do when it comes to speaking "correctly."
Posted by Odessa Scales | June 8, 2010 8:48 PM
Posted on June 8, 2010 20:48
I like your comment that if you have an accent you should use it and be proud of it. I feel the same way. i love listening to speach engluenced by other languages and dialects which are different from my own. I do have a southern accent and I am proud of it. It is my history, my heritage, and an outward expression of my inner being. I do, however, recognize the fact that I can sound Southern or I can sound REALLY southern. I reserve those REALLY Southern times for people I am closest to. I guess I am affected by the stereotypes of Southern people being "not so smart", but I have learned over the years that I can sound Southern and at least somewhat intelligent at the same time. No one should have to worry about being stereotyped because of their accent (or language, or heritage).
Posted by Marcia Smith | June 9, 2010 4:35 PM
Posted on June 9, 2010 16:35