Sunday, April 19, 2009
DW 4b
For my second genre, I'm going to use Group Four - "Personal/Private" Writing. For Group Four, I'm going to use an e-mail exchange between two people. One of the persons will be a Standard English speaker, and the second person will be a African American Vernacular speaker. In the e-mail conversation, the two speakers will talk about a common subject, with each person using two different dialects. The students will each talk about their days and plans that they have in the future. The two friends will have an average conversation that will be able to expand many different subjects. It will show how African American Vernacular English can be used in any context and with any subject matter. By the end of the conversation, the two friends will be able to relate each others dialects and how similar both Standard English and African American Vernacular English are as forms of communication. They realize that though they are different, they are both adequate forms of communicating. They point of this conversation is for the reader to see the similarity between the two different dialects. The reader will be able to see how AAVE is used in comparison to SE in real life conversation.
The point of both of these groups is to show how AAVE is used in common conversation. The point is for the reader to be able to take away how AAVE is actually used in conversation. Not only will the readers be able to see how it is used, but they will also be able to participate in how it is used.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
DW 4a
Black dialect is used in all forms of communication. As long as their is a mode of communication, AAVE can be used. It is used in daily conversation, as well as over the internet, and also schools. There are places where AAVE is spoken, like in home life, and there are times where it is not spoken, like at schools and work. Growing up, you learn your very first dialect. When you care younger, you use that dialect because its the only one you know, but as you grow older, you gain alternate dialects and then you begin using them at different times. But when you come home, it is easy to refute back to the time where you spoke freely in the dialect that felt most comfortable in the situation. AAVE is not the standard language in the work place. Actually, Standard English is the the standard language for more workplaces. Because of this, classrooms try to help AAVE speakers to write and speak in Standard English more fluently. Judith Nembhard gave tips on how to successfully teach AAVE speakers SE. For example, Nembhard states, "Teachers must demonstrate confidence in the students as potential learners"(Nembhard 437).
AAVE is also used on the internet. The internet is an environment where anyone can use any kind of language they like. There is no standard language, it is whatever language you are comfortable using. BD speakers will use AAVE all the time on the internet. On his blog, Kanye West posts photos of a beautiful models. Upon reading a post that was picture of a beautiful woman, “adubbisfinallyfamous“ had said, “she got dem boyz for a nigga and dey are natural. thats what i like about her” (Kanye West Blog, “Veronica Zemanova,” par. 10). On the internet, thsoe who see the things that you say cannot directly see you say it. You're guarded by the internet, because you are able use any kind of language you'd like without worry what someone might think.
Black Dialect is not used in composition journal writings. Though a journal article may discuss the issue of AAVE and AAVE usage, it will never be written in Black Dialect. Instead, it is written in Standard English. Here is an excerpt for a journal article written entirely in SE by Valerie Kinloch with tips that can be implemented to help students to get involved in the study of AAVE: "Invite students into a discussion of phonology, semantics, syntax, accent, and dialect"(Kinloch 105). The quote directly relates to a tip that Kinloch I believe that this is true is because SE is a more standardized form of communication with which more people can communicate with.
These are just a few examples of when and where AAVE is used.
Works Cited
Kanye Universe City. 2009. Kanye West/Mascotte Holdings, LLC. 3 March 2009.
< http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?>.
Kinloch, Valerie F. "Revisiting the Promise of "Students' Right to Their Own Language": Pedagogical Strategies." College Composition and Communication 57 (2005): 83-113.
Nembhard, Judith P. “A Perspective on Teaching Black Dialect Speaking Students to Write Standard English.” A Reader for Writers. U.S.A.: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2008.
Monday, March 30, 2009
DW 3b
On the surface, both of these article seem very similar. They both are primarily about how to 1. Represent AAVE in a composition, and 2. How to successfully teach BD speakers. Coincidentally enough, both articles summarize there points into steps in which, if completed, can help teachers successfully incorporate AAVE into their classes. The difference is that Nembhard's suggestions are very teacher-student orientated, while Whitney's suggestions are very teacher-classroom orientated. What I mean by this, is that Nembhard's suggestion lean more towards the AAVE speaker, the teacher, and how to appeal to their needs, while Whitney's suggestion lean more towards a classroom environment and the teacher, where you do things to your curriculum to incorporate Multiculturalism. For example, Nembhard suggests, "Students must be required to do some of their writing in class"(Nembhard 439). She suggests allowing students to have individual time in class to write so that the teacher can be of direct reference for questions and problems. Whitney, on the other hand, makes suggestions such as, "Create a learning environment rich in oral language"(Whitney 66). As you can see, Whitney makes suggests on a broad scale in which these changes can be implemented to the entire class.
On first glance, these to articles seem very very similar. They both have nearly the same subject matter, and they both present said subject matter in a very similar fashion. Essentially, they both give a background of information on the subject, and then go into the suggestion that they've uncovered. Both suggestions by Nembhard and Whitney seem as if their suggestions have already been implemented in their own classroom environments. Nembhard says, "Teachers must not be afraid to give students failing grades if they are warranted"(Nembhard 440). She then explains that though learning to write in SE is difficult for BD speakers, passing grades given for failing work will not help BD speakers achieve their goal. It also appears that Whitney's methods have been implemented into a class as well. She says, "Allow students to write like real writers"(Whitney 68). What she means by this, is that "real writers" know their audience, and while in a particular technic to appeal their audience. Whitney suggest that a curriculum that teachers students to appeal to their specific audience will make their writing much better.
Whitney and Nembhard both have convincing articles that truly give insight on successful methods to incorporate AAVE into the classroom as well on how to sufficiently teach the proper writing methods of SE to BD speakers in a manner in which they can learn it well. While each article shared mostly similarities, their difference allow us to take in both articles separately and in a way in that each one can stand alone.
Annotated Bibliography
In this article, they discuss Geneva Smitherman’s call for compositionist to renew the fight for language rights. They take up Smitherman’s call by situating the theory of language rights in composition studies in a brief history of rights rhetoric in the United States. With the history of the language rights struggle, I’ll be able to discuss how the discussion of AAVE in composition studies have evolved over time.
Hollie, Sharroky. "Acknowledging the Language of African American Students: Instructional Strategies." The English Journal 90 (2001): 54-59.
This article is about the ways in which that teachers can successfully teach Black Dialect speakers literacy in more than BD and increase the overall literacy level of AAVE speakers. They discuss how after many years of literary research of BD speakers that the speakers of BD would be better recognized and better systems could be implemented to help teach BD speakers. I think that the discussion of what research has proved and what is left to be done with show what kind of strides that AAVE research in composition studies has made.
Kinloch, Valerie F. "Revisiting the Promise of "Students' Right to Their Own Language": Pedagogical Strategies." College Composition and Communication 57 (2005): 83-113.
This article discusses the historical importance of the SRTOL resolution as well as the critique of the student-teacher exchange. As well, it discusses the furthering of language variation in composition courses. I believe that the information about historical significance of the SRTOL and how the infusion of AAVE in composition courses can be inherited within pedagogical setting will help show how AAL is discussed and how it has changed over time.
Whitney, Jessica. "Five Easy Pieces: Steps toward Integrating AAVE into the Classroom." The English Journal 94 (2005): 64-69.
The article discusses the ways in which teachers can successfully incorporate AAVE into their curriculum. Whitney establishes five easy steps towards integrating AAVE in the classroom which allows the teacher to effectively teach black dialect students. Most schools have students with linguistic differences, and with this difference one must devise appropriate tools to teach those who speak non-standard dialects. I believe that Whitney’s suggestion towards helping AAVE writers will be beneficial in explaining the changes in writing styles in today’s school and how AAVE usage can be properly incorporated into the content.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
DW 3a
The object is not to eradicate the first-learned language... Rather, the aim of teaching composition to black speakers is to provide the with effective communication skills and to help the recognize that the individual who harbors and hope of ever being in a position to help influence change or correcet social injustice (Nembhard 435).
Judith believes that learning SE will be a great way to open doors to do more things. With this dialect to communicate, a BD speaker can do more things than they could have done with a black dialect. Nembhard gives 8 essential tips to what is needed for teachers to successfully teach black dialect speakers Standard English. They include:
1. Teachers must demonstrate confidence in the students as potential learners... 2. Teachers must display high expectations for the students' success... 3. Students must be aided in making the distinction between oral speech and Standard English... 4. Writing assignments must be graded fairly but thoroughly... 5. All English teachers must set aside time for conferences with students... 6. Students must be required to do some writing in class... 7. Students must be provided with outside-of-class support... 8. Teachers must not be afraid to give their students failing grades(Nembhard 436-437).
I think the article discusses the importance of BD as a cultural language, but is more dedicated in how BD speakers can be successfully taught SE. The author beleives that teaching the usage of SE is important, because it is the most effective form of communication. Nembhard believes that AAVE is a great dialect culturally, but isn't necessarily the best language to effectively communicate. I think it somewhat discusses AAVEs importance in composite studies, because it discusses the importance to effectively teach those who speak black dialect. Its role in composite studies is how to teach the speakers of AAVE to effective communicate with others with the usage of Standard English. This particular article doesn't really discuss the usage of AAVE, but instead discusses how AAVE speakers can be taught to speak more effective forms of communication. I believe it could have more through discussed the effectiveness in learning AAVE and how its usage is beneficial in daily use. It agrees with its importance as a cultural dialect, but does discuss its importance in usage. Overall, I believe that Nembhard wrote a good article which discussed the issues that she believe were important, which was how to effectively teach SE to black dialect speakers.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
DW2b
Sunday, February 15, 2009
DW2a
Sunday, February 1, 2009
DW 1b
It's very easy for parents, elders, and other adults to look down upon your dialect. They do not use the same slang as I do. I use words that elders and adults couldn't even imagine what the meanings were. I could not walk into my house as say to my father, "What's good, Pops?" And I certain could not tell my mother, "My buddy in Brody caught a case because he got caught with a dimebag on him." They would not understand me, and I probably wouldn't want them to understand. But because of this use of slang and jargon, prejudices towards a younger generation and changing times become more severe. I'll tell a joke to my grandparents, or say something sarcastically, and follow it up with, "JK, grandpa!" and they won't understand what I'm talking about. Many times, elders will take the lack of understanding complete understanding as disrespect. It's hard to accept that your current ways are in the past. Prejudices stem of things that are different from your own. What makes the difference is whether or not you are willing to accept these other things.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
DW 1a
At home, you refer back to the language you were taught by your parents. Generally speaking, your family shapes how you speak and the things you say. As you grow older, you stray away and find your own language, but when you are back home in this environment, you will always refer back to the mother tongue you were taught as a child. You mumble words, and uses expressions that no one else would understand.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
"It Bees Dat Way Sometime" - Smitherman
What is invention? (What activities did the writer have to engage in to create the text?)
What is being invented? (What ideas, practices, arguments, etc. are created by the text?
-Learning the lingo and grammar rules of other dialects helps understanding
-Allows others to more effectively communicate and understand one another
-Africanized to Americanized dialects
-Future, past, and present tenses for certain words and phrases
-Use of words compared to other simliar words (ex: be, bees, been)
What is arrangement? (How are things being put in relation to one another?)
-General comparative examples
-Usage to grammatical rules
-The perception of other dialects
-How different grammatical rules are not wrong when used in certain dialects
-Racial prejudices
What is revision? (What strategies are engaged specifically to help the writer achieve the revisions?)
-Specific examples that correlate with word usage
-Sites literary sources (Lonne Elder, play)