We all have done it. We all speak differently depending on who we are around. We do not talk to our friends the same way that we talk to our parents. Also, we do not talk to our parents the same way we talk to our boss. We all have to change our dialect depending on what role we are portraying. According to Dornan, Rosen, and Wilson (1997) dialect simply, "denotes that all speakers speak a particular variety of the language that includes geographical, ethnic, class, and gender features" (p. 51). Dialect is not different languages it is simply the different ways that people talk. Ethnicity has a lot to do with someone's dialect. Around New Mexico families incorporate a lot of Spanish words into their daily dialect. Accents are also a big part of dialects. A British accent, a Boston accent, and a Texan accent are all very different even though the language remains the same, English. Switching dialects is very important, not only in speaking but in writing as well. We all write different depending on why we are writing. If we are completing as assignment for school we all talk formally, we would do things such as use slang words in the assignment.
Dornan et al., also explain that, "The belief that speaking a certain dialect of English reflects a lack of education at best, or lower intelligence at worst, has led many people, including well-intentioned educators, to negatively stereotype speakers of a dialect whose speech patters differ from standard language patterns" (p.51). We all have seen a movie that pretty much makes fun of someone. This person is usually a farmer, if we are watching an American movie, and this farmer usually has a southern accent. The setting is usually in Mississippi, Alabama, or some other state in the south. This is very stereotypical and it has led many people to believe that some dialects are "stupid" or "ignorant." We have a knowledge of "standard" English that according to this textbook, Multiple Voices, Multiple Texts, there is no such thing as "standard" English. The media is the one that sets our standards for English. I believe this to be true. When have you ever seen a person with a southern accent from Mississippi host the news? The fact that a stereotype exists for certain dialects would just make it difficult for these people to even get hired. I think it is importance that we realize that a person is not dumber just because of where they were raised, just because of their accent.
I have actually found myself believing these stereotypes. It’s horrible what the media has shifted us to believe about different speech patterns and accents. After reading what the author is talking about I know I will now be more conscious before I judge someone because of the way they speak.
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me of what Gee said in his article about primary and secondary discourses. We talk, act, and our motions are all different depending on who our audience is.
ReplyDeleteI believe were all guilty of stereotyping at one time or another. A dialect or an accident is developed as a primary discourse, for many people it is so ingrained it's impossible to take out a common speech. It can become heavier or tone down depending on who were talking to. Talking to our friends informally or talking to her employer formally.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mention that here in NM a lot of people include spanish words into their dialect. I am guilty of this and my parents are from Idaho! I do it all of the time. It seems like some spanish words complete what I am thinking better than the English words do. I certainly talk differently when in a professional setting than I do to my friends and family. When I think of a TV show that shows a different dialect and kind of makes fun of it, I think about George Lopez's show. They are all Mexican, and talk like the stereotypical "Mexican" accent. It is very funny, but it does perpetuate the stereotype.
ReplyDeleteStereotypes are a huge problem in our society and even more so in our educational system. As human beings, I don't think we will ever be free of them. So then where do we go from here? Well I think awareness is key. If teachers are conscious of these stereotypes they are more likey to steer away from them and not judge based on it. I like that your book brings up points like this that we all know about but aren't necessarily practicing in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThis problem is international! For foreign language education in my county, educators used to believe that they should produce "native-like" speakers.
ReplyDeleteI would speak with people of any accent as long as he is a good guy, not a bad guy speaking perfect English, no matter it is London English or New York English.