"What is considered "correct" usage has evolved over time from historical precedents regarding usage, usually based on the linguistic forms most commonly used by the speech communities with the greatest economic and political power. Considering something as "incorrect," therefore, is a matter of social convention rather than an inherent "flaw" in the linguistic structure itself." (Dornan, 2003, p. 80)
How do we teach so-called "proper grammar" to students who are speaking a dialect of English that is not viewed as conventional or mainstream by dominant society? Is it right to tell a student who is speaking African American Vernacular English that he is wrong, even if his grammar usage adheres to AAVE? How can we expect kids to learn and use the formal rules of grammar when they are surrounded by examples of misuse? This misuse (or deviation from the standard) happens not only within their social and cultural circles, but also on T.V., in newspapers and other print media, on the radio, in interviews with celebrities and politicians, and in the classroom. Is Huck Finn not one of the most taught books in the American classroom? And, isn't it a book filled with dialect and so-called misuse of the English language?
I guess all my questions boil down to this, when do we enforce proper or standard English, and when do we allow student's to freely express themselves in their own voices?
A year ago this question would have been easy for me to answer, we must always help students work towards the goal of comprehending and implementing the rules of standard English in their written and oral classwork. Now, I am not so sure. I think that there is a time when we must enforce the rules of standard English, and there is a time when we can allow students more creative expression and freedom within their writing.
On one hand, if a lesson on how to write a cover letter and resume is being taught, then it is very important that the grammar rules of standard English are enforced. During this lesson would be an appropriate time to use some of the strategies outlined in Within and Beyond the Writing Process in the Secondary English Classroom.
On the other hand, if students are assigned a creative writing assignment, then it might be appropriate to allow them to use their own voice, including the rules of grammar that accompany their dialect of English.
What this all boils down to, is that it is important to help students understand who is their intended and/or expected audience. This will help students make better judgments on what style of writing they should use. Dornan comments that many students who speak non-standard English are excellent code switchers. They are able to speak in one manner, and write in another. We should encourage code-switching, as long as students know when it is appropriate to use the many different varieties of English.
Link o' the week: This weeks link is to this website, which accompanies the book Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies: A guide to language for fun and spite. Not only does the book look interesting (I haven't read it, but I think that I will), but the website is fun and engaging. Despite the limited content on the site, what is available is engaging, entertaining, and educational. There are grammar tips of the week (forego vs. forgo, further vs. farther), a weekly column, and a link to pretty entertaining grammar blog.
I guess all my questions boil down to this, when do we enforce proper or standard English, and when do we allow student's to freely express themselves in their own voices?
A year ago this question would have been easy for me to answer, we must always help students work towards the goal of comprehending and implementing the rules of standard English in their written and oral classwork. Now, I am not so sure. I think that there is a time when we must enforce the rules of standard English, and there is a time when we can allow students more creative expression and freedom within their writing.
On one hand, if a lesson on how to write a cover letter and resume is being taught, then it is very important that the grammar rules of standard English are enforced. During this lesson would be an appropriate time to use some of the strategies outlined in Within and Beyond the Writing Process in the Secondary English Classroom.
On the other hand, if students are assigned a creative writing assignment, then it might be appropriate to allow them to use their own voice, including the rules of grammar that accompany their dialect of English.
What this all boils down to, is that it is important to help students understand who is their intended and/or expected audience. This will help students make better judgments on what style of writing they should use. Dornan comments that many students who speak non-standard English are excellent code switchers. They are able to speak in one manner, and write in another. We should encourage code-switching, as long as students know when it is appropriate to use the many different varieties of English.
Link o' the week: This weeks link is to this website, which accompanies the book Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies: A guide to language for fun and spite. Not only does the book look interesting (I haven't read it, but I think that I will), but the website is fun and engaging. Despite the limited content on the site, what is available is engaging, entertaining, and educational. There are grammar tips of the week (forego vs. forgo, further vs. farther), a weekly column, and a link to pretty entertaining grammar blog.
1 comment:
Awesome post this week. I have all the same questions you posted. Also, like you, before this program and our insanely horrible Linguistics class which I apparently got more out of than I care to admit, I was ready to pound out the grammar lessons and bring back sentence diagramming for all my students. Now, like you, I'm not so sure. Actually, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter, but I'll save that for now.
I also really love that web site and can't wait to get some more time to read more. Her bio page alone was well worth it. It reminds me of Eats, Shoots and Leaves, but way funnier and way less serious. I love her irreverent tone.
Denise
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