Questions

After reading the article, "Bidialecticism", I began to realize that the English language has evolved over many centuries and has become one of the most intricate languages in the world. That being said, AAE has no place in the academic sphere. The article confirmed my opinions in more than one way. First, "Intellectuals and leaders, both black and white, have argued that a monodialectal dependence on AAE prevents or limits access to texts, speakers and opportunities whose messages are expressed in SAE. (3)" As a future educator I know that no one dialect is superior to the other, however, AAE is not the right way to use the English language. And secondly this article argues that the use of AAE can be harmful to young students, "Nevertheless, the differences that have been described in the literature are significant and have been shown to work against the educational achievement of black children (3)."

I believe my assumption that English is cut and dry may lead to a segregation from AAE, although a standard needs to present when is comes to academic writing and reading comprehension. So my  question is: What kind of a standard needs to be present in all uses of SAE so that AAE will not damage educators in the future?

No One Is Safe

As a future educator, I must learn to accept all variations of learners, students, and how they communicate with me and their cohorts. As humans we need to realize and accept that not everyone communicates in the exact same way. Also, each new language or dialect is an opportunity to learn. Knowing this, as teachers, it is our duty to accommodate variations of our own culture so that we might better understand and accept other cultures. I do, however, believe that putting a label on a particular dialect is unnecessary. It would seem, the creole language that's known as AAVE, is merely an attempt to disguise our distaste for the slangy, southern slave, pidgin-style language. When it comes to language, however, in American society it would be difficult to make it up the "corporate ladder" using words such as dat, dem, dey, ma' goh-ness. That's the reality of language. In many ways languages can have authority over other languages. That's not saying that languages have priority over other languages, it only means that there are a majority of people using one language, that language holds all the power. When it comes to teaching, it is our responsibility that each student becomes educated in the proper use, speaking, and writing of English. 

About Me

Hello interested reader.
My name is Quentin Miller. I have been an MSU student for the past three years. Initially, when I arrived here at MSU, I had decided to major in Exercise Science. Come to find out, I would need to pass chemistry. Two semesters and two failed attempts at chemistry later, I became and English Education major. I had always enjoyed reading and writing since I can remember, beyond that I enjoy challenging my imagination with each book I read. I haven't yet decided whether or not to teach English to high school students, college students, or students from an entirely different culture. My opportunities are seemingly endless at this point, and although I've narrowed my degree search I haven't narrowed my opportunities, and plan to extend beyond what MSU has taught me.