DW 1b

In Geneva Smitherman's article, "From Ghetto Lady to Critical Linguist," she discusses the language barriers between her native dialect and Standard English. She explains that though those who spoke Standard English could understand her regional dialect, "The problem was that there existed a bias against this different-sounding American English emanating from the margins"(Smitherman, p.54). What Smitherman is saying that though communication could be made between different dialects, there was still bias and prejudice towards those who are different then you. Smitherman spoke her regional southern slang and jargon, and historical prejudices compared such dialects to underprivileged and struggling African American race. Racism towards blacks was not yet something of the past, as it is not a thing of the past today, and the simple use of regional dialect could easily bring back racial animosity. Similarly, as a young adult, there is a certain bias that you elders have about you.

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.