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December 05, 2005
Ch. 5 "Sociolinguistic Concepts"
Comments.
I think it is interesting that the author correlates educational failure with linguistic failure. I would think home-life and social life would also effect the linguistic process. The educational system just does not seem to bolster different dialects as it should.
The fact that dialects affect/reveal social status in Britain is slightly old-fashioned. With the modern technological world and the "in with the new" generation, dialects should not be looked down upon. Having social classes in England continues to repress those "not suppossed to be educated" according to their dialect. Just because one is born into a certain area does not mean one is less able to be educated.
I think it is absurd that most teachers are unaware that all speech communities use ranges of different language varieties in different social contexts. Like the author states, it is an elementary idea and should be something an educated person realizes. Even simple observation of the way one talks to a baby and how one talks to his/her boss shows different language varieties.
It is certainly true that teacher's judge the students on irrelevant information. We generally assume a person's attitude, social status, monetary status, and home town by their dialect. Unexplanatory judgments are created and the possibility for that student to learn as much as a favored student with a favored dialect dwindles.
I think it interesting that the author explained that even caveman language was a complex grammatical system. We generally think of these languages as inferior because of their simplicity. This simplicity is merely a difference in function. Cavemen did not have to use language to describe specific parts to a computer like we do today. Scientific advancement has also arranged a more functional language.
Questions.
Why has the British class system based on dialects persevered over time?
Why would there be such a dramatic difference between Standard and Nonstandard languages if they are only differences in lexicon?
Is it useful to dwell on "superficial linguistic items" in the educational system or could the time spent correcting imperfections be used to teach other languages that would advance a student's knowledge?
If colloquilisms are created everyday and jargon accepted commonly, why is it wrong to use them in all situations as long as the listener is aware of the new colloquilism?
Judging others is a natural process (whether considered "right or wrong" is your decision) so why should it be excluded in the very social scene of the educational system?
Posted by lcisyeich at December 5, 2005 01:25 AM