RES 5535: Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (summer 2010)

I too didn't realize that speaking white was negative. Actually I did not know that the color "white" had its own language. I have had many caucasian friends who speak another dialect as myself ( I speak southern in my opinion). I have lived in North Carolina all my life. When I went to college, also in NC) my roommates were all from the North. They used to make me say things that sounded differently from how they said them and then laugh at me. This was all in fun, but even in the US we speak differently based on regional dialects. I also have a friend from the coastal area of North Carolina whose speech dialect and figures of speech are different from mine. I also notice that I speak differently at home than I do at school or church (not my choice of words but more a formal speech). I think that even caucasians code switch. So what makes "white " the formal way to speak?
Amy Reep

Dear Linda,

I found it interesting that your friend was able to speak one way at work and then another when around family, just as in our articles that we read. I have been told I have a "Northern accent" if there is such a thing, but over the years have developed a Southern accent too. I switch between the two sometimes without realizing it. Also, I feel that it is important that our students know that the way their parents speak is valuable and I agree that we need to teach them when it's important to speak proper English and when it isn't. ~Reshawna Greene

I also felt sad after reading this article. I thought about how hard it must be to make sure that you are talking a certain way all the time. I also took it as they were having to give up part of what made them who they are. I too thought about the anxiety that must go with having to be conscious of how you are speaking all the time.
I also gave it more thought and realized that I do this too. Like at work I try to be professional around parents and colleagues. I also try to use correct English with my students and try to rephrase things they say in the correct way. I never make them feel bad or make a big deal when they say things incorrectly. At home and around friends I let my guard down and I do not always use correct English.
I really think the key to this problem is to not try to take away the children’s dialect but to teach when they should switch from their dialect to proper English. We do not want students to give up part of themselves or feel that the way their family speaks is wrong.

After nineteen years or so of living outside of my hometown and in a more "academic" setting, I still find myself slipping back into the country dialect of my family if I am with them for more than a few minutes. It drives my husband crazy sometimes. It is amazing how much that is a part of who we are. I have also noticed that I do it here with one of my neighbors in particular. He speaks in a dialect very typical of a member of rural Watauga. I slip into this very easily when my family is around them. I guess there is something to be said for the respect factor. I respect my family (and this neighbor) very much and connect to this way of speaking when I am with them.

Isn't it nice when we come across an assignment or article like this that really opens our eyes! I had not really given this topic a lot of thought either, just kind of accepted it as the way things are. I have several Hispanic students and have always loved to hear them speak Spanish to each other, and also to have them help me learn a little bit, too. I had not really thought about how many cultures had been pressed to drop their native language and speak "The Queen's English". Not just English, but proper English. It was very eye-opening for me as well.

Wow, I couldn't agree more with how you felt. It is sad. I often code switch, and have been picked on by the way I speak from my northern friends. It can be frustrating and intimidating to be in an environment where you feel that everything you say is judged by your correctness. This year when I really let my students have a voice and let them know that there was no right or wrong way to speak, they opened up more than ever. I just wanted them to talk and discuss literature and ideas in a comfortable zone. I talked to them and made the distinguishment of different ways people talk. We discussed this and accepted those differences in conversations within the classroom. They responded well. I also found them encouraging the ESL students to share words with us and we cheered when they trimphed sharing a poem in their best English. There has to be a balance within the classroom and students need to be aware when formal language use and their own language is appropriate. I think that when this is made we appreciate the students own language and support their use of formal English as well.