Topic: What is the best approach to dealing with language variation? Should American society become more tolerant, or should individuals be responsible for learning the Standard?
Source 1: “Current Official language law of Georgia” by Congress, 11/22/09, http://ww.proenglish.org/states/georgia.htm.
Georgia is one of the 50 states of the United States of America that has adopted English as its Official language. The law adopted in 1986 and revised in 1996 states in the Official Georgia Code 50-3-100 that “the English language is designated as the official language of the State of Georgia”. It indicates that all public records such as birth records, tax records, and legal documents should be written in English. This law is “enforceable with the full weight and authority of the State of Georgia”. It also allows for the tolerance of minority languages as it gives state agencies such as municipal corporations, county governmental bodies and so forth the authority to use or print official documents and forms in other languages at their discretion as long as an English translation of the document is filed along side the other language used. It seems that this approach is the “Gold Standard” in dealing with language variations especially since we have areas where language, such as Spanish is more prevalent in the community than English.
Source 2: “Language Variation and Change” by Sarah G. Thomason, 11/22/09, http://www.Isadc.org/info/ling-fields-change.cfm.
“Everyone speaks at least one language, and probably most people in the world speak more than one.” Although most Americans speak only English it appears that variations of English such as dialects are used extensively in various regions and demographic areas. How can we be intolerant as an English speaking nation when we are a mosaic of diverse people and their languages? Ignorance is the only answer for this type of intolerance. The English language evolved from Germanic language which is called “Proto-Germanic” by linguists. This single language was spoken over 2500 years ago and includes other derivations such as, Dutch, German, Icelandic, and Swedish. “…When subgroups of the original speech community separated: 500 to 1,000 years of independent changes first produced divergent dialects, and then became separate languages”. Standard English in much the same way has evolved and will continue to evolve into variances caused by regional and cultural influences. As an American society, we need English as an official language to unify and govern the people while being tolerant of those diversities in language that make us such a unique nation. One that says, “ Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”…not one that says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your English speaking huddled masses yearning to breathe free”! (Adapted from Emma Lazarus; poem, The New Colossus)
Thesis statement: The English language has evolved over two thousand years from its Germanic roots. It still evolves today with its variant dialects and slang. Yet this is the language that appears to be the unifying factor of governing our nation in setting forth rules and regulations for the laws of our society. Without an official language we would not be able to communicate those laws effectively and seamlessly throughout our United States. We need an official language as a unified people, one nation of many diverse people and their languages. However, those of different dialects and languages should continue to enjoy the freedom of speaking their native language without fear of the use of English being the official language of our country. It would seem that tolerance is the key to dealing with language variation and the use of English as our official language.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Speakers of non-standard dialects of English should be taught in specific ways according to their individual needs. Everyone needs to have a knowledge of how to speak the standard dialect of America. There is no wrong in informally having an accent or speaking in a dialect other than the standard; however, the standard needs to be known, so a common form of communication can be spoken. If a common form of talking is developed, then people will be judged with less bias on their social status.
Hazen, Kirk. "Teaching About Dialects". http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0104dialects.html. October 2001.
This article is mainly about the misunderstanding about dialects' correctness. Hazen establishes the fact that dialects each have their own way of being right when being spoken. There is not a wrong way to speak when a person is speaking in their individual dialect. This fact gives support to my argument that the dialect and accent of a child should not be discouraged; however, there is also a need for an additional knowledge of the standard English. This standard is not necessarily the correct way to speak it is just the most commonly understood because it lacks the variables of dialects such as accent and slang. Another point of this article is the dilemma teachers experience when trying to address the dialect situation. The teachers must explain how different regions have different uses of words and variable pronunciations. The standard found in Atlanta is going to be slightly adjusted for the use of the Southern dialect, and also the standard found in Boston will be tuned more for the regional dialect spoken there. Also, the problem of discrimination of people based on the way the speak is presented in the article. A solution is to show and instruct the children towards the standard, but in a constructive way that having a dialect is not bad, but that it gives them identity.
Hamilton, Kendra. "The dialect dilemma: whether one is speaking Ebonics or Appalachian English, sociolinguists say all dialects are created equal". http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DXK/is_5_22/ai_n13819930/. April 21, 2005.
In this article, The Dialect Dilemma, a problem is presented. This problem is one that has been known and ignored since regions identified themselves with specific dialects. It has just recently been accepted that all dialects are correct, and this is a result of their being no official language to compare the dialects to. Without comparison there can be no wrong. Also, there is not a group to establish a correct and formally right way to speak; this meaning there is not any person who truly has the right to correct another for the way they are speaking. The sociolinguists addressed in this article agree that all dialects are equal in their importance and credibility. Throughout this article, the writers are mainly addressing the language of African-Americans. There is a quote from Dr. Orlando Taylor that says "We can agree that there is no single way to speak a language, but we cannot escape the fact that, even within all those variations, some forms have more prestige than others. For example, the educated form--without mastery of the educated form of a language, it's very hard to be successful in schools or in the professional marketplace" (Hazen 2). I will be able to use this article to give opinions from the African American side about their dialect, and the treatment they recieve and deserve.
Hazen, Kirk. "Teaching About Dialects". http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0104dialects.html. October 2001.
This article is mainly about the misunderstanding about dialects' correctness. Hazen establishes the fact that dialects each have their own way of being right when being spoken. There is not a wrong way to speak when a person is speaking in their individual dialect. This fact gives support to my argument that the dialect and accent of a child should not be discouraged; however, there is also a need for an additional knowledge of the standard English. This standard is not necessarily the correct way to speak it is just the most commonly understood because it lacks the variables of dialects such as accent and slang. Another point of this article is the dilemma teachers experience when trying to address the dialect situation. The teachers must explain how different regions have different uses of words and variable pronunciations. The standard found in Atlanta is going to be slightly adjusted for the use of the Southern dialect, and also the standard found in Boston will be tuned more for the regional dialect spoken there. Also, the problem of discrimination of people based on the way the speak is presented in the article. A solution is to show and instruct the children towards the standard, but in a constructive way that having a dialect is not bad, but that it gives them identity.
Hamilton, Kendra. "The dialect dilemma: whether one is speaking Ebonics or Appalachian English, sociolinguists say all dialects are created equal". http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DXK/is_5_22/ai_n13819930/. April 21, 2005.
In this article, The Dialect Dilemma, a problem is presented. This problem is one that has been known and ignored since regions identified themselves with specific dialects. It has just recently been accepted that all dialects are correct, and this is a result of their being no official language to compare the dialects to. Without comparison there can be no wrong. Also, there is not a group to establish a correct and formally right way to speak; this meaning there is not any person who truly has the right to correct another for the way they are speaking. The sociolinguists addressed in this article agree that all dialects are equal in their importance and credibility. Throughout this article, the writers are mainly addressing the language of African-Americans. There is a quote from Dr. Orlando Taylor that says "We can agree that there is no single way to speak a language, but we cannot escape the fact that, even within all those variations, some forms have more prestige than others. For example, the educated form--without mastery of the educated form of a language, it's very hard to be successful in schools or in the professional marketplace" (Hazen 2). I will be able to use this article to give opinions from the African American side about their dialect, and the treatment they recieve and deserve.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Annotation
Topic: Is there a difference between discrimination based on hearing someone, and discrimination based upon seeing someone?
Discrimination against someone’s ethnicity is wrong yet mostly everyone has been guilty of doing it at some point or another. The view of discrimination can be seen from the view of listening and site. Is there a difference? Does one happen more than the other? The accent and sound of someone’s voice can often be a giveaway of someone’s ethnicity.
Language Discrimination Your Legal Rights. Web. 19 Nov. 2009.http://www.las-elc.org/LanguageDiscrimination.pdf
This article entails commonly asked questions and answers regarding discrimination. Is it illegal? What is language discrimination? It is something that occurs when a person is treated differently based on their accent, language, or any other characteristic regarding their speech. I will be able to use some information such as language discrimination can appear in different forms, including a “speak-English-only” policy by a business whose employee speaks a different language. Another form may include a person being able to speak English, but with an accent therefore being treated differently or being denied a position because the lack of proficiency. Language discrimination is considered to be a form of discrimination on the basis of national origin or race according to some governmental agencies and courts. Some laws such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 make it forbidden. There are other bits of information I will be able to use to back up the discrimination points and illustrate the negatives in discriminating against someone’s speech.
Hillbillies, rednecks, and southern belles (no citation info yet, need to get from you!)
The article “Hillbillies, rednecks, and southern belles” goes into detail about the language difference between northern states and southern states. Even though the language being spoken, English, is essentially the same, it is used with different accents and different “tweaks” to it. You are generally able to identify where an individual is based upon the language they speak or the accent tagged onto their speech. The long southern drawls of vowels distinguishes between the drawn out nasally sounds of a northern accent. There are different slangs that distinguish the southerners from the northerners. Being able to listen to someone for a certain amount of time allows one to understand and comprehend where they are from. This article will help me prove the point that an individual can distinguish a person’s cultural background just from their speech and accent.
Discrimination against someone’s ethnicity is wrong yet mostly everyone has been guilty of doing it at some point or another. The view of discrimination can be seen from the view of listening and site. Is there a difference? Does one happen more than the other? The accent and sound of someone’s voice can often be a giveaway of someone’s ethnicity.
Language Discrimination Your Legal Rights. Web. 19 Nov. 2009.http://www.las-elc.org/LanguageDiscrimination.pdf
This article entails commonly asked questions and answers regarding discrimination. Is it illegal? What is language discrimination? It is something that occurs when a person is treated differently based on their accent, language, or any other characteristic regarding their speech. I will be able to use some information such as language discrimination can appear in different forms, including a “speak-English-only” policy by a business whose employee speaks a different language. Another form may include a person being able to speak English, but with an accent therefore being treated differently or being denied a position because the lack of proficiency. Language discrimination is considered to be a form of discrimination on the basis of national origin or race according to some governmental agencies and courts. Some laws such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 make it forbidden. There are other bits of information I will be able to use to back up the discrimination points and illustrate the negatives in discriminating against someone’s speech.
Hillbillies, rednecks, and southern belles (no citation info yet, need to get from you!)
The article “Hillbillies, rednecks, and southern belles” goes into detail about the language difference between northern states and southern states. Even though the language being spoken, English, is essentially the same, it is used with different accents and different “tweaks” to it. You are generally able to identify where an individual is based upon the language they speak or the accent tagged onto their speech. The long southern drawls of vowels distinguishes between the drawn out nasally sounds of a northern accent. There are different slangs that distinguish the southerners from the northerners. Being able to listen to someone for a certain amount of time allows one to understand and comprehend where they are from. This article will help me prove the point that an individual can distinguish a person’s cultural background just from their speech and accent.
Insert Title
Annotated Bibliography
English First. Spring Field VA, 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. < http://englishfirst.org/>.
Make English First. The title states the objective of the website. The websites goals include making English America’s official language, giving every child the chance to learn English, and to eliminate costly and ineffective multilingual policies. Believing that “this nation of immigrant must be able to talk to each other...that the English language unites America... are tired of seeing the government use their tax money to divide Americans on the basis of language or ancestry.” English First presents itself to the public as a link to Capitol Hill, a megaphone for the voice of the American public against the division of the nation based on language.
Why is English Necessary? 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. < http://www.us-english.org/view/10>.
Why is making English the official language necessary? “Declaring English the official language is essential and beneficial for the U.S. Government and its citizens”. English as the official language is not only a common sense choice by the government, but it also empowers immigrants, and promotes unity throughout the country. As a unit Americans speak more than 322 languages, and making English official would only further bring Americans together by bridging the communication gap. The argument for the national motto is made “E pluribus unum” meaning out of many, one. This represents our nation made up of many beliefs, religions, races, and more becoming one. If that nation cannot communicate there is a gap in the ideology of a “melting pot”. Not only citizens would benefit from an official language, but immigrants with an understanding of the language would have a rise in lifestyle, and have an easier time transitioning into American society. The final reason presented for the designation of English as the official language is the argument that it would be common sense for the government. It would relinquish the need provide services in 322 languages, allowing the government to better serve the people. Money that was spent on multi-lingual services can be used for other services, or providing immigrants with assistance in English development.
What to teach in school? Non-Standard dialects of English or Standard English
Topic: How should students who are speakers of non-standard dialects of English be taught?
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID+403&DID+1061
Teachers should not teach in the non-standard dialects of English. English is the main language that mostly everyone knows and if the teachers tried to teach everyone in their own dialect, many more teachers would need to be hired because many more dialects would need to be taught. When the schools did try to separate the vernacular speakers, the parents protested how ELS placement was insulting and inappropriate because their children already spoke the English language and also that the teacher’s expertise is in teaching language and not teaching dialects.
Teachers teach the children everyday and after a while, the students sometimes end up listening to the teacher enough, they start speaking like the teacher speaks. A reason why students are not taught in the vernacular is because when ESL students interact with the vernacular dialect speakers, the ESL students will start to speak like the vernacular dialect speakers.
A teacher who has had more education of the subject they are teaching is able to teach more clearly. The reason why teaching in the vernacular would be a problem is because the teachers would have to go to school to become more educated to teach this class. Students who are able to see how standard English plays a role in their everyday lives makes them want to learn it more by themselves.
http://www.eiu.edu/~ipaweb/pipa/volume/katzstev.htm
I will be discussing how students leave and graduate school without a well-built foundation of understanding the Standard Dialect. Although many students just do not get their information because they do not care or they do not understand, some do not understand the Standard Dialect because they did not learn the Standard English.
When students are about 7 they start learning the very basic English rules. These rules, as the children become older, add onto one another and become more and more complex. The problem if a teacher would teach in the vernacular would be that if there were more than one dialect, each of the dialects would need to be taught. With each of the dialects needing to be taught, the class would get very behind and the students would not be able to go onto the next topic in the correct time. With just teaching Standard English, it is much easier because everyone has one basic language.
People are able to learn faster when they are just put into an environment where they are forced to speak the new language. This is referred to as immersion. Immersion is where a person is just put into a situation with a few people who do not speak the same language and this person is forced to speak this new language.
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID+403&DID+1061
Teachers should not teach in the non-standard dialects of English. English is the main language that mostly everyone knows and if the teachers tried to teach everyone in their own dialect, many more teachers would need to be hired because many more dialects would need to be taught. When the schools did try to separate the vernacular speakers, the parents protested how ELS placement was insulting and inappropriate because their children already spoke the English language and also that the teacher’s expertise is in teaching language and not teaching dialects.
Teachers teach the children everyday and after a while, the students sometimes end up listening to the teacher enough, they start speaking like the teacher speaks. A reason why students are not taught in the vernacular is because when ESL students interact with the vernacular dialect speakers, the ESL students will start to speak like the vernacular dialect speakers.
A teacher who has had more education of the subject they are teaching is able to teach more clearly. The reason why teaching in the vernacular would be a problem is because the teachers would have to go to school to become more educated to teach this class. Students who are able to see how standard English plays a role in their everyday lives makes them want to learn it more by themselves.
http://www.eiu.edu/~ipaweb/pipa/volume/katzstev.htm
I will be discussing how students leave and graduate school without a well-built foundation of understanding the Standard Dialect. Although many students just do not get their information because they do not care or they do not understand, some do not understand the Standard Dialect because they did not learn the Standard English.
When students are about 7 they start learning the very basic English rules. These rules, as the children become older, add onto one another and become more and more complex. The problem if a teacher would teach in the vernacular would be that if there were more than one dialect, each of the dialects would need to be taught. With each of the dialects needing to be taught, the class would get very behind and the students would not be able to go onto the next topic in the correct time. With just teaching Standard English, it is much easier because everyone has one basic language.
People are able to learn faster when they are just put into an environment where they are forced to speak the new language. This is referred to as immersion. Immersion is where a person is just put into a situation with a few people who do not speak the same language and this person is forced to speak this new language.
linguistic profiling
Topic: Is there a difference between discrimination based on hearing someone, and discrimination based upon seeing someone?
http://www.wordreference.com/definition/discrimination
This webpage gives a basic definition of discrimination. It says discrimination is the “unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice”. Therefore discrimination can be very broad as it is not held to any constraints and can be used in a vast number of ways. In my argument I shall use this definition to show that as long as a person is being treated unfairly, as a result of a prejudice being held against them, then it does not matter how the discrimination is being produced. Discrimination based on hearing someone and seeing someone both meet the criteria in order to fall under discrimination as they both go towards hurting a person. The only difference is that they go different ways about it.
http://www.blackcommentator.com/linguistic_profiling.html
This article talks about some of the research John Baugh undertook to show racial profiling and its effects. Baugh rang renters with a white and a black voice. He made more than 100 calls and found that his "Black" voice got half as many calls back as his "White" voice. It did not matter that when Baugh used his Black voice he was speaking perfect, Standard English. This will help me to show that, although the person can not see they caller, they can make assumptions on what the caller looks like based upon their voice. Once they have assumed what the person looks like they are able to racially categorize them. Previous prejudices held against that group are reproduced even though they may have never seen or met the person. Dr. Patrice D. Johnson supports this statement by saying, “Apparently if a speaker on the telephone sounds African-American, he is subject to the same kind of racial discrimination as he might be in a face-to-face encounter”.
Title: History of Racial Profiling in Linguistics
Johnson, Patrice D. "Linguistic Profiling." The Black Commentator. 2 Apr. 2002. Web. 19 Nov. 2009.
This article gives many of the facts about racial profiling in linguistics. At the beginning of the article, a few example of how racial profiling can be an issue and how the discriminator avoids being accused of it. When individuals are charged with giving culturally biased tests as part of a school or job application, they simply say that the test is “merit based”. When police officers stop and search a young black male that is driving in a predominately white neighborhood, they justify it by giving crime statistics. When a landlord chooses to discriminate against a possible black tenant because of a phone call, they say they had no idea that the possible tenant was black. In the case of the tenant, being accused of discrimination is becoming much more difficult to avoid. Landlords are beginning to “vocally brand” individual voices of possible tenants. The most common answer that the callers get if the landlord profiles the individual as a minority is what is called a “sophisticated lie”. This line typically goes something like “There are three people in front of you but I will put your name down in case they don’t work out”, when the fact is that landlord will never call back. Based on the article, this scenario is becoming more and more common everyday.
Rice, Patricia. "Linguistic profiling: The sound of your voice may determine if you get that apartment or not." Washington University in St. Louis News & Information. Washington University in St. Louis, 2 Feb. 2006. Web. 19 Nov. 2009.
This article takes John Baugh’s linguistic profiling experiment into detail. Baugh is credited with inventing the term “linguistic profiling”. His experiment is backed by a three year, $500,000 grant through the Ford Foundation. This experiment comprises of a serried of phone calls to companies about applying for a job or potentially leasing or buying a piece of property. Baugh uses several voices including a “professional voice”, a Latino voice, and an African American voice. The results of these tests are quite interesting. The person answering the phone for the company tends to pick out the Latino and African American voices and tries to avoid a face-to-face meeting with the individual. Some companies even go to the extent of screening calls on an answering machine and simply not returning the calls of those that have a “minority” voice. On the contrary side of things, when Baugh called the same company using a different voice he oftentimes received a more welcome response and many times succeeded in scheduling a face-to-face meeting.
jack dowdell blog 5
Topic: Federal government should not be responsible for bilingual education. Rather individuals should take it upon themselves to learn English.
Park, Bob. "Why does ProEnglish oppose bilingual education?." Pro English 1. Web. 19 Nov 2009. <http://www.proenglish.org/issues/education/beindex.html>.
ProEnglish is a website of concerned citizens who desire to protect the rights and values of America as they are. The avenue they choose to do this in defending the English language both in rallies as well as in the legal courts. This article makes a very strong case that I hold to be true both in personal experience as well as statistics I have ran across. ESOL classes cost schools unbelievable amounts of money and resources. Most of the time it is ineffective. The drop out rate of ESOL students is extremely high compared to other demographics. Even those that don’t drop out most likely will not cycle out of the ESOL program. Which means they graduate without proper language skills to further their job gaining abilities.
| Frank, Bob. "Arizona Prop 207 results." Pro English (2004): 1. Web. 19 Nov 2009. |
The Arizona study I have just cited shows a possible alternative to bilingual education. The difference proposed is English Immersion as opposed to separating them. In an English Immersion program the students would take normal classes with the English speakers. Then have support from another bilingual source to aid them, the study cites a much higher success rate from this type of education opposed to separation. Economically it is much easier on the pockets of American systems and the dollars we do use come from the state funds which are already there.
Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliography
Rice, Patricia. “Linguistic Profiling: The sound of your voice may determine whether you get that apartment or not.” http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/6500.html (2 Feb. 2006)
Questions: Is there a difference between discrimination based on hearing someone, and discrimination based upon seeing someone?
Is there a difference based upon regional dialects or sociolects, and discrimination based upon dialects associated with an ethnicity?
Linguistic Profiling- Research of John Baugh
This article brings light into recent studies by the inventor who coined the term “linguistic profiling.” His recent research has uncovered facts about linguistic profiling and brought them forward to show that linguistic profiling hinders many peoples who speak different dialects from integrating and living with the regular standard English speaking community. The studies performed were through hundreds of phone calls to individuals with apartments for sale or rent. Different dialects were used to see which dialects were discriminated against just by the sound of someone’s voice. Also tested were potential employers, real estate agents, and service providers. The test results confirm that people are discriminated against over the phone just by the sound of their voices. The article also states facts about how the discrimination against these peoples violates their rights. The article explores other dialects or accents that are not looked down upon by the American peoples.
Johnson, Patrice D. “Linguistic Profiling.” http://www.blackcommentator.com/linguistic_profiling.html
(nd)
This article further explains the research done by John Baugh. However, it brings up some different points and illustrates them differently. The article talks about being so-called “ vocally branded” with the sounds of a dialect or sociolect. In the article it illustrates the action of “TWB” or talking while black and how that can affect the outcome of a job interview, housing rental, or service providing opportunities. The article tells of the legalities regarding racial profiling and applies it to the facts of linguistic profiling. The article explores the facts of the NFHA or the National Fair Housing Act. (planning on finding out more information on this act and when it was in-acted). The legalities are that no one can deny someone the rights to housing, loans, or insurance because of the sounds of their voice. The article also explores the fact that most of these types of transactions take place over the phone which allows further discrimination. The article talks about how the NFHA chooses their people who screen calls and what they recognize as callers. The article illustrates a good many trial that have gone to court as a result of Racial profiling linked to linguistic profiling.
Rice, Patricia. “Linguistic Profiling: The sound of your voice may determine whether you get that apartment or not.” http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/6500.html (2 Feb. 2006)
Questions: Is there a difference between discrimination based on hearing someone, and discrimination based upon seeing someone?
Is there a difference based upon regional dialects or sociolects, and discrimination based upon dialects associated with an ethnicity?
Linguistic Profiling- Research of John Baugh
This article brings light into recent studies by the inventor who coined the term “linguistic profiling.” His recent research has uncovered facts about linguistic profiling and brought them forward to show that linguistic profiling hinders many peoples who speak different dialects from integrating and living with the regular standard English speaking community. The studies performed were through hundreds of phone calls to individuals with apartments for sale or rent. Different dialects were used to see which dialects were discriminated against just by the sound of someone’s voice. Also tested were potential employers, real estate agents, and service providers. The test results confirm that people are discriminated against over the phone just by the sound of their voices. The article also states facts about how the discrimination against these peoples violates their rights. The article explores other dialects or accents that are not looked down upon by the American peoples.
Johnson, Patrice D. “Linguistic Profiling.” http://www.blackcommentator.com/linguistic_profiling.html
(nd)
This article further explains the research done by John Baugh. However, it brings up some different points and illustrates them differently. The article talks about being so-called “ vocally branded” with the sounds of a dialect or sociolect. In the article it illustrates the action of “TWB” or talking while black and how that can affect the outcome of a job interview, housing rental, or service providing opportunities. The article tells of the legalities regarding racial profiling and applies it to the facts of linguistic profiling. The article explores the facts of the NFHA or the National Fair Housing Act. (planning on finding out more information on this act and when it was in-acted). The legalities are that no one can deny someone the rights to housing, loans, or insurance because of the sounds of their voice. The article also explores the fact that most of these types of transactions take place over the phone which allows further discrimination. The article talks about how the NFHA chooses their people who screen calls and what they recognize as callers. The article illustrates a good many trial that have gone to court as a result of Racial profiling linked to linguistic profiling.
Should the US have an official language?
An official language in the United States would unite citizens under a common language, helping to break down the cultural and socio-economical barriers that have developed through immigration and diversity.
Language Loyalties: A Source Book on the Official English Controversy. Ed. Crawford, James. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992.
We have seen this book many times during class, in fact many of the readings assigned to us have come from this book. James Crawford has put together a very useful collection of papers and articles discussing the language controversy in America, and does a successful job at reporting both sides of the story while managing to remain unbiased. As a research source, I will be able to read more information on the subject, as well as gain valuable knowledge on the backgrounds and different viewpoints for the official language. This book will give me plenty of insight on how an official language would affect America, at both the national and individual level. Language Loyalties will give me the knowledge to appropriately display the need for an official language. I will use it as a resource for in-text citations, as well as data, giving me the facts and figures to make a proper argument.
ProEnglish. “Linguistic Unity Is Critical in an Increasingly Diverse Society.”
Opposing views is a debate centered website used to give many different viewpoints on different potential debates. The argument over an official language in the United States can be found on this website, with many different views of both the pros and cons to an official language. After opening a selection titled “Linguistic Unity is Critical in an Increasingly Diverse Society”, I realized how well this matched up to my thesis statement. Though not exactly the point I’m trying to make, much of its views reflect what I’m aiming to prove. Once again, this source gives many facts and figures, which are pertinent in writing a thorough research paper with few flaws or major arguments against it. One very important topic I want to address in my paper is how a multilingual society leads to isolation of various cultures, thus leading to further diversity and disunity in America. I want to use this website to give me ideas for my paper and show the extent of my research on this topic. Though none of these posts are official and could very well be false, I will do further research to check the validity of the figures given. This website will help me to find opinions and way of explaining my opinions on the topic.
Annotated Bibliography
In American society, students should learn standard English while being taught to embrace their cultural dialects.
Lin, San-Su. ""Standard Dialects" and Substandard Worlds." National Council of Teachers of English 1.3 (1970): 140. Web. 19 Nov 2009. .
A Dialect is a variation of language; language, or speech, as Edward Sapir defines it, is “a non-instinctive, acquired, cultural function,” “a purely historical heritage” of a group, “the product of long-continued social usage.” The Author, San-Su Lin, is not particularly for one side but he is stating a point that a dialect is not something wrong or incorrect that the students are doing. He is emphasizing that dialect is cultural or rather historical of where we are from and were born into. Basically we can not help the situation because I would not say it is a choice of how we speak in person, it is our natural ability to speak that way and it should not be taken away from us by learning the Standard English. But we should be able to speak the Standard in a scholarly situation. In my paper i want to stress the fact that all students can keep their dialect and not have to feel like they are losing their part of their life but also understand that they have to learn the Standard English. Also they need to know the appropriate time to use their dialect. I do not want this to be like me giving lessons but just a few things to point out.
Jones, Allen. "English Language Teaching in a Social/Cultural Dialect Situation." Nature of the Problem(1968): 199-205. Web. 19 Nov 2009.
‘What are “acceptable habits” and to whom are they acceptable?’ Indeed, underlying both definitions is the assumption that there is one code, one language, one dialect which it is necessary for our pupils to master to the exclusion, presumably, of all else. It is this assumption that I wish to challenge: that the natural or home language habits of the child are inferior or irrelevant and should play no part on the process of development; that there is only one form of language usage - the ‘acceptable’ one - with which it is necessary for a person to explore all the outer and inner recesses of his experience. In this Article, Allen Jones, is saying there is nothing wrong with the children speaking from their cultural dialect because their habits are acceptable. But other critics would probably disagree because most people believe the only language is the ‘right language’ which to them would be the standard. To Jones, the right language is what he/she has learned growing up with what they have been around their whole lives. It sounds like he is saying it is a good habit. I want to use this in my paper to show that there is an acceptable reason why we can use dialect and be looked at as smart still for example if we are using southern dialect, then people automatically assume we are stupid. So in this case I want to show that we can be noticed as intelligent people with out getting rid of our dialect.
topic: What should the language policies of the United States be? Should we have an official language? Should the US offer bilingual ballots? Should the US include bilingual education in its public school systems?
Source 1: Randall, Vernallia R.. "Race, Racism and the Law". Professor of Law The University of Dayton. November 19, 2009 http://academic.udayton.edu/race/02rights/engonly1.htm.
Source 1: Randall, Vernallia R.. "Race, Racism and the Law". Professor of Law The University of Dayton. November 19, 2009 http://academic.udayton.edu/race/02rights/engonly1.htm.
- In this article the author discusses how the language someone chooses to speak often dictates the view of the listener. He believes that someone's, or a group of people's, language is their symbol."Different languages have very different prestige values in our society. These differences in prestige manifest themselves through bias, conscious or unconscious, for or against certain languages." he says. He later goes on to say that if people who speak a certain language have power and prestige then that the speakers of the particular language are, generally, looked at as having power and prestige. I intend to use this, and the way people view English, as a reason to make English the official language of the United States. There are many languages in America and can be described as a "melting pot", but I believe that English stands out as the most prestigious out of all the languages. Having said this, if we continue to call America a "melting pot" and do not designate English as the official language, American will not, fully, be seen as the prestigious power that it really is in the world.
Source 2:Krashen, Stephen. "Why Bilingual Education?." ERIC Digest. 2006. Stephen Krashen, Web. 19 Nov 2009. http://www.ericdigests.org/1997-3/bilingual.html.
- In this article Stephen Krashen discusses why America should offer bilingual education in public school systems. He argues that teaching an individual their primary language in turn allows them to better understand a second language more simpler. He discusses how someone who can speak in a language other than their other language is better equipped to succeed in life. I find this to be true and intend to discuss that teaching another language in schools, primarily Spanish-the second most spoken language in the US, will allow Spanish seekers to move towards speaking English. I believe requiring every US citizen, of a reasonable age, to be able to communicate in a basic, average, English conversation should be the goal of the US. Offering bilingual education would allow this to happen and would, in turn, designate English the official language of the United States.
Thesis: The United States should designate English as the official language of the country. This is because the majority of the country already speaks English. English is considered to be a very prestigious language. Therefore, making English the official language would make the US appear to be a very intelligent country and contribute to the fact that it is already a very powerful nation and many other categories. As prejudice as it may sound, the United States should do away with bilingual ballots that are currently offered in all elections. Also, bilingual education should be offered in public schools, nationwide, because it would allow non-English speakers to more easily learn to speak English and result in English speakers across the nation.
Annotated Bibliography
School systems should teach Standard English, but there should be a tolerance for different dialects. Teaching the Standard helps students learn that there is nothing wrong with cultural differences, and that all dialects are in some way tied to the Standard.
Hazen, Kirk. "Teaching about Dialects. ERIC Digest." Teaching about Dialects. ERIC Digest. (2009): 1-4. ERIC. ERIC Publications. Web. 16 Nov. 2009..
This digest not only explores the difficulties in teaching a dialect, but it also looks at the best way to teach about a dialect. The Author, Kirk Hazen, makes the point clear that there is not a superior dialect. In my research paper I want to stress the fact that no one should be forced to get rid of their dialect. It is something that makes you different and its part of you cultural history. One should be proud of a dialect and not shameful. The Digest’s main point is to help teachers better educate their students about their certain dialects. Teaching these students that they are not wrong in the way they speak will also encourage them in their other school work. Also, students that do speak the Standard would not be prejudice towards the children with other dialects. Some of the teaching methods Hazen suggest teachers use consist of asking the students a number of true and false questions, and having them say different words aloud. These help the students see that there is nothing wrong with speaking different because everyone sounds different. I like this article because it not only tells you what can be difficult in teaching dialects, but it offers you solutions.
Christian, Donna. "CAL: Digests: Vernacular Dialects in U.S. Schools." Center for Applied Linguistics. May 1997. Web. 19 Nov. 2009..
This article makes the point that the Standard should be taught because it can help students in the future, but also supports the idea that we should be more excepting of other dialects. Teaching the Standard will help students when they go out into the real world. Everyone has two way of speaking: the way you speak to your friends and family, and the way you talk to the people you work with or you boss. However, we should not tell people they are wrong when no dialect is better than the other. The author, Donna Christian, explores the fact that Standard and Vernacular have similarities, and people need to stop viewing them in a social matter. In my paper I want to discuss the reason for having a different dialect. This reason is due to the fact that everyone has a different cultural and community background. Also when children are little we should not discourage them in school by telling them that what they know now is wrong. Christian says, “Students will not do as well as a result of negative expectations.” This is why teachers need to have a positive view of different dialects. It will help the students become more confident in themselves and their school work.
Hazen, Kirk. "Teaching about Dialects. ERIC Digest." Teaching about Dialects. ERIC Digest. (2009): 1-4. ERIC. ERIC Publications. Web. 16 Nov. 2009.
This digest not only explores the difficulties in teaching a dialect, but it also looks at the best way to teach about a dialect. The Author, Kirk Hazen, makes the point clear that there is not a superior dialect. In my research paper I want to stress the fact that no one should be forced to get rid of their dialect. It is something that makes you different and its part of you cultural history. One should be proud of a dialect and not shameful. The Digest’s main point is to help teachers better educate their students about their certain dialects. Teaching these students that they are not wrong in the way they speak will also encourage them in their other school work. Also, students that do speak the Standard would not be prejudice towards the children with other dialects. Some of the teaching methods Hazen suggest teachers use consist of asking the students a number of true and false questions, and having them say different words aloud. These help the students see that there is nothing wrong with speaking different because everyone sounds different. I like this article because it not only tells you what can be difficult in teaching dialects, but it offers you solutions.
Christian, Donna. "CAL: Digests: Vernacular Dialects in U.S. Schools." Center for Applied Linguistics. May 1997. Web. 19 Nov. 2009.
This article makes the point that the Standard should be taught because it can help students in the future, but also supports the idea that we should be more excepting of other dialects. Teaching the Standard will help students when they go out into the real world. Everyone has two way of speaking: the way you speak to your friends and family, and the way you talk to the people you work with or you boss. However, we should not tell people they are wrong when no dialect is better than the other. The author, Donna Christian, explores the fact that Standard and Vernacular have similarities, and people need to stop viewing them in a social matter. In my paper I want to discuss the reason for having a different dialect. This reason is due to the fact that everyone has a different cultural and community background. Also when children are little we should not discourage them in school by telling them that what they know now is wrong. Christian says, “Students will not do as well as a result of negative expectations.” This is why teachers need to have a positive view of different dialects. It will help the students become more confident in themselves and their school work.
Annotated Biblography
Schiffmann, Harold. "Linguistic Tolerance Policies: ." Paper for Roundtable Discussion (2001): n. pag. Web. 19 Nov 2009. .
This article discusses the tolerance of American society and also how tolerance is shown throughout other countries. This article was written by a professor named Harold Shiffmann who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. He states that "The notion of ‘tolerance’ as an attribute of language policies can probably be traced back to the German sociologist of language Heinz Kloss (Kloss 1977) who was writing about the concept in terms of American policy towards its linguistic ‘nationalities.’". Along with tolerances that go along with language, Shiffmann goes over religious tolerances. But the main point of this article is the use of the broad scope,wide sphere,narrow sphere and narrowest scope that describes the language tolerance. Broad scope is defined as being the language used in all domains, public and private, secular and religious. Broad-scope tolerance was probably limited to Pioneer. Secondly it talks about the wide sphere which is defined as be the right to use language in all domains, public and private, secular and religious. Third would be the narrow sphere which is described as being the right to stay and assemble. Lastly, narrowest scope is the right to have a private school to practice the language that they so choose. All of these examples directly relates to language and the freedom to do it in the United States.
"LINGUISTIC VARIATION." Chapter 11 n. pag. Web. 19 Nov 2009..
This article shows how linguistic variation can vary. it first states that there are many different variations of language in the world. The article goes on to tell that most of the linguistic variation of spoken language was therefore never attended to in any systematic fashion.During the article she criticizes English professors for being prejudice towards other languages other then English. This article believes that there should not be any hatred towards other linguistic features because it is not the same as yours. the article criticizes it because it thinks that the so called " English Whizzes" do not look at the linguistic value of other languages in its entirety. I agree with this article because I believe that it is not fair to judge other people, on how you perceive their language or even heritage. I believe that this article is right on when it is describing what should and can be done about neglecting linguistics.
This article discusses the tolerance of American society and also how tolerance is shown throughout other countries. This article was written by a professor named Harold Shiffmann who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. He states that "The notion of ‘tolerance’ as an attribute of language policies can probably be traced back to the German sociologist of language Heinz Kloss (Kloss 1977) who was writing about the concept in terms of American policy towards its linguistic ‘nationalities.’". Along with tolerances that go along with language, Shiffmann goes over religious tolerances. But the main point of this article is the use of the broad scope,wide sphere,narrow sphere and narrowest scope that describes the language tolerance. Broad scope is defined as being the language used in all domains, public and private, secular and religious. Broad-scope tolerance was probably limited to Pioneer. Secondly it talks about the wide sphere which is defined as be the right to use language in all domains, public and private, secular and religious. Third would be the narrow sphere which is described as being the right to stay and assemble. Lastly, narrowest scope is the right to have a private school to practice the language that they so choose. All of these examples directly relates to language and the freedom to do it in the United States.
"LINGUISTIC VARIATION." Chapter 11 n. pag. Web. 19 Nov 2009.
This article shows how linguistic variation can vary. it first states that there are many different variations of language in the world. The article goes on to tell that most of the linguistic variation of spoken language was therefore never attended to in any systematic fashion.During the article she criticizes English professors for being prejudice towards other languages other then English. This article believes that there should not be any hatred towards other linguistic features because it is not the same as yours. the article criticizes it because it thinks that the so called " English Whizzes" do not look at the linguistic value of other languages in its entirety. I agree with this article because I believe that it is not fair to judge other people, on how you perceive their language or even heritage. I believe that this article is right on when it is describing what should and can be done about neglecting linguistics.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Annotated Bibliography
Topic: Linguistic Profiling- Background and history (research completed by John Baugh) of the term and how and why it is a more subtle, but just as serious form of discrimination. Along with proof it exists and examples of linguistic profiling limiting the rights and equal consideration of others. A more in depth consideration of the consequences linked to linguistic profiling.
Erard, Michael. "Language Matters." Legalaffaris.org Jul. 2002. 18 Nov. 2009. <http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/July-August-2002/story_erard_julaug2002.msp>
Within this online article from a magazine that intersects law and life, Legal Affairs, Michael Erard acknowledges John Baugh’s term-linguistic profiling and gives the background on how Baugh realized this theory. The examples of his personal experience will be an excellent way to help readers connect to the idea and concept of what linguistic profiling is and not just the term. Baugh uses this theory to show the importance of recognizing the “subtle discrimination” within linguistic profiling and how it affects different ethnic groups and races, and this is not limited to African Americans, but a range of non-Standard English speakers. Also, there are statistics included about Baugh’s research that can be used as evidence proving people are capable and do identify who a person is based on hearing their voice. Erard states, “ …fair-housing advocates think that a firm legal precedent acknowledging linguistic profiling can’t do any harm, and will only make legislation easier.” Using this statement will show how linguistic profiling could become useful as assistance in the courtroom. He also points out how many insurance and home mortgage companies conduct negotiations and transactions entirely by phone. The importance of this observation will help to demonstrate how the linguistic profiling could easily happen in the business world. This article is a great resource of evidence and expansion of linguistic profiling, especially since it likewise includes John Baugh.
Johnson, Patrice. “Linguistic Profiling.” Theblackcommentator.com 5 Apr. 2002. 18 Nov. 2009. <http://www.blackcommentator.com/linguistic_profiling.html>
Patrice Jonhson confirms linguistic profiling and also uses the evidence of John Baugh to help readers understand and explore the process of linguistic profiling. Johnson endorses, “ Research by John Baugh and others has demonstrated that racial identification by speech takes place all the time, and it has had several legal implications.” Within “Linguistic Profiling” Johnson also parallels linguistic profiling with racial profiling:
“ ....a practice infamously employed by police officers, who stop and search Blacks simply because they fit a ‘profile.’ In linguistic profiling, however the racial cues are verbal rather than visual.”
A humorous definition Johnson uses is TWB- Talking While Black. This demonstrates how people use a telephone conversation to determine the race of someone based solely on the way the individual sounds. “Apparently if a speaker on the telephone sounds African-American, he is subject to the same kind of racial discrimination as he might be in a face-to-face encounter,” declares Patrice Johnson. The following questions are intellectually challenging questions proposed to make readers realize the significance in maintaining awareness of linguistic profiling. After all, they may be well educated, and gainfully employed; in other words they look great on paper. What could possibly put them at a disadvantage? These questions equally exemplify how linguistic profiling is not a fair act to anyone. At the close of this article Johnson proposes the following solution that will accommodate the conclusion in my paper to what can be done about linguistic profiling: “The only way to put a stop to linguistic profiling is for those who know about it to report it and make the offenders pay.” I believe the use of these vivid quotes and examples in correlation to the problem of linguistic profiling will be aid to prove linguistic profiling exists whether it is done consciously or subconsciously. Because this is a form of discrimination it is important to make the readers aware of the consequences and problems that derive from such an act.
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