When I heard the President of the United States use the slang phrase, “Naw, we straight,” I was shocked. Why? I suppose it is because I thought, as a highly educated professional, he should speak as such. But then I began thinking that, I too, am educated. I don’t always speak using proper grammar and I certainly don’t speak the way I write. Why is that? Because we all speak and write differently (code switching) according to the environment we are in. When texting my children or friends, I don’t spell and write grammatically correct. Should the President be any different? No, and we shouldn’t expect that he be anything other than human, just like us. Perhaps if I were President, I might be more conscientious of that fact that I could be recorded at any moment while in public and always try to use proper grammer. I do think that using slang should be left to informal situations and gatherings. I can’t ever imagine using slang in my classroom or in graduate school. My students use slang while speaking in class and in their writing; however, we do have a classroom moto: no text or instant message language or writing on school assignments.
I have mixed feelings about Dowdy's experience. While I understand where her mother was coming from, I also know how it feels to have a perfectionist for a mother. I am sure that her mother wanted the best in life for her. If speaking "white" was the best choice for her daughter's future in that region of the world, is that any different than what you or I would do if placed in the same situation?
Karen
Comments (3)
Many "props" to the President for feeling open/honest enough to relax his speech. He is just as welcome to have dinner at a local BBQ as the rest of us "regular" people with his family. However, allowing students to use some slang could provide an excellent opportunity to use their editing and revising skills. I do agree that the President was scrutinized more so because he does hold a position of power. As long as he doesn't talk to an ambassador, and say "Nah, we straight!" Ha-ha! This comes back to the article that referenced the "white folk" dialect. Channeling language has become a part of our everyday lives.
Posted by Angela Steele | June 6, 2010 8:11 PM
Posted on June 6, 2010 20:11
Karen,
I also speak and write differently depending upon the environment and group of people that I am around. With the 21st century and technology that is available, I believe that we will discover a new "technological dialect" in writing/texting. Within the next five-ten years, we will be reading articles about the language of "texting" and it's affects on other cultures. Wouldn't it be fascinating if the language of "texting" became a universal language that connects different languages? Or are we already there? Will society accept it?
Posted by Katie Johnson | June 6, 2010 9:07 PM
Posted on June 6, 2010 21:07
I think that the media makes too big a deal of things. The president using slang...is that really a news worthy story and if so what is the story? The president is just a human like everyone else. I know he holds the highest public office and he is a role model but everyone uses slang at times. I think the president using slang shows that he is trying to relate to the common person. I do not think that this is something that he should make a habit out of because everyone is listening to his every word. I do not think that this is any different that George W. Bush saying the word “ya’ll” in his speeches. This is his dialect. Obama speaking in his dialect does not make me think that he is of a lesser intelligence. This is just my opinion on the news clip and I understand your thinking on the subject.
Posted by Ashley Caldwell | June 8, 2010 8:27 PM
Posted on June 8, 2010 20:27