DW1b

The following passage is an expert from Leah Zuidema's Myth Education:

"Most students know intuitively that formal Standard English is not the best choice for every communicative situation, yet they are so used to having their own grammar corrected that they cannot help but believe that non-standard English is bad. Need evidence? Consider how often teens and even adults use perfectly appropriate conventions of casual conversation and then, remembering they are speaking with English teachers, apologize in embarrassment for their "bad grammar." Baron rightly states, "We must own up to the fact that the teaching of English to speakers of English has promoted much of the linguistic insecurity and fear of grammar that we observe today". It is important for students to hear English teachers acknowledging that a non-standard register or even another dialect or language is sometimes the most appropriate and effective choice. Hearing the message isn't enough; students also need opportunities to consciously explore and reflect with their teachers about effective uses of systems other than formal Standard English."

The excerpt above illustrates the idea that there is not a universal way to speak and write. Zuidema points out that it is due to the preconceived notion that anything besides Standard English is bad, that linguicism has been enabled. She continues with the assertion that it is up to English teachers to acknowledge the variety of languages and dialects in existence and more importantly, to explore them with students.

Reading the passage above jogged my memory about instances during primary school when I was self-conscious about my grammar. From a young age, it was instilled in me that there was only one way to speak, realizing now that I was referring to Standard English. One of the first times I recall being corrected for my grammar was in the sixth grade. After finishing a reading test, I approached the teacher's desk to ask her if I could use the facilities, saying "Mrs. Hardy, can I use the restroom?" The response I was given left me shocked and embarrassed. Mrs. Hardy looked right at me and said, "no". She then proceeded to say in a facetious tone, "no, you can't go to the bathroom, but you may use the restroom." Then realizing my grammatical error, I corrected myself and asked the teacher, "may I use the restroom?" Looking back, I see that the simple grammatical mistake I made allowed me to realize the difference in the language I apply in school and home. Before I was corrected by Mrs. Hardy, I most likely asked the same question on numerous occasions and was left uncorrected. This could be attributed to the different environment in which I was speaking in. Teachers expect a certain quality of language from students that is not always required at home. Therefore, one may use "bad grammar" at home or when conversing with peers because there may not exist an expectation to live up to.

DW1a

The way I use my language differs drastically depending on the environment that I use it in. My language usage is also dictated by the intended audience. If I am at school, work, or am speaking with a sophisticated adult I try to use Standard English. This means that I use correct grammar, semantics, and style. For example, when writing an email to a professor I use words such as “regarding” instead of “about”. I tend to use diction that makes me sound intellectual. I also tend to alter simple introductions depending on the audience. When beginning a conversation with an adult I begin with, “how are you doing”, as opposed to the informal introduction to my friends, “what’s up”.
Just as my speech and writing is altered to fit Standard English, I also adapt my language to a more informal dialect when talking to my friends. When communicating with my friends over the internet, via facebook or email, I shorten words and use “bad” grammar. Since I do not feel the need to impress my peers, I use shortened words, slang, and incorrect punctuation.
Examples
Facebook- When writing a message to a friend it would read, “I like the pic”.
When using facebook I use:
· Abbreviation
· Simple sentences
· Incomplete sentences
· Slang
Phone- When I am speaking on the phone I am more inclined to use Standard English in order to best convey the message I want to get across. I speak using complete sentences and try to avoid using abbreviations.

One specific example that displays the differences in my speaking patterns is best exhibited through a job I had at a restaurant. At the restaurant I was a hostess, greeting and seating guests, and a busser. When a customer would come in I would use language appropriately for the situation. My tone, greeting, and diction were adapted in order to portray myself as a suitable and capable hostess and or busser. However, while at work when speaking with co-workers, my speech would again change in order to accommodate the different situation. I would speak more casually using informal jargon.

IAR - It Bees Dat Way Sometime

What is invention?

-research different languages and dialects( Black English and White English)
-research the patterns of Black English and White English
-research different tenses used in Black and White English
-find additional poem
-find strategy to best convey the differences in the two languages
-identify different uses of words in Black English

What is being invented?

-There are different uses of words such as "be", "done", and "been" in Black English
-There are many differences between White English and Black English
-There are different ways in which to use words to convey different meanings


What is being arranged?

-White English to Black English
-introduction of early Black English to current Black English
-history to pronunciation
-pronunciation to grammar
-grammar to specific patterns
-patterns to poem

What is arrangement?

-compare and contrast
-statement to explanation
-classification

What is being revised?

-the views people have regarding Black and White English
-the rules of Black English
-the idea that Black English uses different patterns
-the idea that when speaking a language, one does not have to use all aspects of the language all the time

What is revision?

-definitions
-examples of "real life" speech
-cites poem