I think this article is actually quite important because it highlights the misunderstandings and prejudices that often result from something as simple as variation in pronunciations. The idea that someone with a southern accent is automatically stupid is a stereotype that I have come across quite frequently. I think it is interesting that African American English and the dialects spoken by white Americans are gradually shifting further away rather than merging closer as might be expected. Overall this article is a good way to show that stereotypes and prejudices held on the basis of dialect are not at all based on fact. Overcoming this obstacle any time soon is unlikely, but it would be one step towards eliminating discrimination of any type.
Do I speak American is the question. What is the appropriate way to speak american? It's funny because my way of speaking is not the right way because I do consider females "dudes, and guys". i never thought of it as an offense but it actually can be. Wow, this article has compelling approach also, to race. I never thought about it. But it is true.
But, I think that our language is not changing. It is more of our understanding and concepts of living. We think differently nowadays so our conversations are different from people of the past. I am shocked by this article. This is a pretty cool article.
I found this article really interesting. While reading this article I was thinking about many different things. I have noticed that African Americans do talk differently than white people, but I never really put much more thought into it. I would always wonder why though? While reading this article I also thought about different parts of the United States. I am originally from Michigan, but have lived in South Carolina since I was one year old. From visiting Michigan many times in my life, it is very normal to say, "you guys" to just about anyone: male or female. As a matter of fact I say "you guys" more than I say "ya'll." I'm not sure when language officially "changed" that it is such a big deal, but I believe it has been a gradual process. With living in the south, I have noticed many words being pronounced different or slang. I believe people in the south say things way different then how they are meant to be pronounced, as well as their use of grammar and verbs. My elementary school teacher used to ask me to pronounce different words for the class because when I said them, I sounded "right." I also think that language has changed over the years due to technology. Texting is so common in today's world that many people use short cuts or just a few letters to get their point across. I found this to be an interesting article and really made me think.
As an African-American, I found this article interesting. I’ve never lived in an urban area, so I also notice the variations in patterns of speech. However, as Steve Harvey pointed out, many people adapt their language to fit their settings. I would not address a professor as informally as I address my best friend. I do agree that language barriers can hinder success. In recent years, there has been a major controversy surrounding the SAT because many people believe that the test is culturally biased. People who don’t speak “Mainstream American Language” may not fully comprehend the directions or questions. At the same time, it is difficult to create one set standard of how the English language should sound. Different regions around the nation have their own slang terms and accents that stray away from “proper” grammar rules.
I think this article is actually quite important because it highlights the misunderstandings and prejudices that often result from something as simple as variation in pronunciations. The idea that someone with a southern accent is automatically stupid is a stereotype that I have come across quite frequently. I think it is interesting that African American English and the dialects spoken by white Americans are gradually shifting further away rather than merging closer as might be expected. Overall this article is a good way to show that stereotypes and prejudices held on the basis of dialect are not at all based on fact. Overcoming this obstacle any time soon is unlikely, but it would be one step towards eliminating discrimination of any type.
ReplyDeleteDo I speak American is the question. What is the appropriate way to speak american? It's funny because my way of speaking is not the right way because I do consider females "dudes, and guys". i never thought of it as an offense but it actually can be. Wow, this article has compelling approach also, to race. I never thought about it. But it is true.
ReplyDeleteBut, I think that our language is not changing. It is more of our understanding and concepts of living. We think differently nowadays so our conversations are different from people of the past. I am shocked by this article. This is a pretty cool article.
I found this article really interesting. While reading this article I was thinking about many different things. I have noticed that African Americans do talk differently than white people, but I never really put much more thought into it. I would always wonder why though? While reading this article I also thought about different parts of the United States. I am originally from Michigan, but have lived in South Carolina since I was one year old. From visiting Michigan many times in my life, it is very normal to say, "you guys" to just about anyone: male or female. As a matter of fact I say "you guys" more than I say "ya'll." I'm not sure when language officially "changed" that it is such a big deal, but I believe it has been a gradual process. With living in the south, I have noticed many words being pronounced different or slang. I believe people in the south say things way different then how they are meant to be pronounced, as well as their use of grammar and verbs. My elementary school teacher used to ask me to pronounce different words for the class because when I said them, I sounded "right." I also think that language has changed over the years due to technology. Texting is so common in today's world that many people use short cuts or just a few letters to get their point across. I found this to be an interesting article and really made me think.
ReplyDeleteAs an African-American, I found this article interesting. I’ve never lived in an urban area, so I also notice the variations in patterns of speech. However, as Steve Harvey pointed out, many people adapt their language to fit their settings. I would not address a professor as informally as I address my best friend. I do agree that language barriers can hinder success. In recent years, there has been a major controversy surrounding the SAT because many people believe that the test is culturally biased. People who don’t speak “Mainstream American Language” may not fully comprehend the directions or questions. At the same time, it is difficult to create one set standard of how the English language should sound. Different regions around the nation have their own slang terms and accents that stray away from “proper” grammar rules.
ReplyDelete