In this assignment I had to choose and critically analyze a single example and explain how the example is driven by a language ideology. I presented my argument using my knowledge, reasoning and external sources.

 

 

  Speaking Your Type of English isn’t Stupid

 

Throughout phase three I’ve learned how different people let different forms of English affect them. Even if it has nothing to do with them they find a way to release their opinion to the public which sparks multiple questions. Is Standard English the best form of English? Should we as a whole try harder to accept different dialects in public settings? What is the main source (or root) that makes this topic intriguing?

The example I decided to analyze is Emma Thompson’s opinion on “sloppy language”. Emma Thompson is an Oscar-winning British actress who claims to feel “insane” when people did not speak properly. “The 51-year-old Oscar winner told the Radio Times that people who did not speak properly made her feel “insane”. (1) “Properly” in her terms represents Standard English and as a famous actress slang words such as “likes” and “innit” are beneath her. She tries to spread this toxic mentality to British students by telling them that such words make them sound stupid. “I told them, ‘Just don’t do it. Because it makes you sound stupid and you’re not stupid” (1) Thompson says. Thompson also believes that you should keep one language at home and use Standard English in public settings.

Another source that addressed the language myth or attitude came from chapter one of Rosina-Lippi Green’s book. This chapter “The linguistic facts of life” responds to the attitude of the different uses and values or different variations of English in response to the belief that Standard American English is supreme. Lippi-Green argues this on page five by saying, “In other words, our brains are hard-wired for language; it’s in our DNA. A child has the innate capacity to acquire language,” (Lippi-Green 5) Lippi-Green sheds doubt on this misconception by providing facts that demonstrate the usefulness of different types of English being publicly used. Amanda Godley and Allison Escher’s “Bi-dialectal African American Adolescent’s’ beliefs About Spoken Language Expectations in English Classrooms” add on to the notion by saying “Furthermore, in both overt and subtle ways, educators often tell bi-dialectal students that their use of nonstandard dialects in class is wrong or assume that bi-dialectal students are less academically capable.” (Godley & Escher 2) Escher and Godley side with Rosina Lippi-Green. Jamila Lyiscott also supports it in her TED talk.

Lippi-Green views oppose from Thompson which makes her work useful in addressing the language attitude of Standard English being the only viable option in Thompson’s case while other dialects and forms of English should be swept under a rug unless in a private setting. Thompson and Lippi-Green demonstrate two accomplished people who hold opinions on this topic. Lippi-Green writing sounds more calculated, empathetic and research based. On the other hand, Thompson’s response is more of a hatred and distaste for anything that doesn’t represent Standard English. Or Standard British English in her case. Emma Thompson is a bad influence towards people who believe in language diversity which makes it more troubling to know that she was able to reveal her viewpoint to students and making them think twice about using slang and being multidialectal. These students may see her as a role model which makes it easier for Thompson to sway them towards her side of the fence.

All in all, different forms of English should be accepting yet Standard English has a place in society and should be an option for people to use but it shouldn’t be worth more than the rest anymore.

 

  Works Cited page

 

Godley, Amanda, and Escher, Allison. “Bi-dialectal African American Adolescents’ Beliefs about           Spoken Language Expectations in English Classrooms.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult                          Literacy 55.8 (2012): 704-13. Web.

“Actress Emma Thompson attacks use of sloppy language” BBC. www.bbc.com .

Lippi-Green, Rosina. “The linguistic facts of life.” English with an Accent: Language, ideology and             discrimination in the United States, by Rosina Lippi-Green, Routledge, 2012 pp.5-25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9fmJ5xQ_mc

Reflection

        Some of the insights I gained in this phase include taking a deeper look into the viewpoints of people who may not share my beliefs in terms of language and literacy. Instead of just hearing their side and dismissing it I decided to research why they hold certain opinions. I also learned that people from all walks of life have weighed in on this topic. For instance, I didn’t expect a British actress to hold such a hefty opinion on slang language and on top of that influence children to avoid slang.

Some concepts/ terms that impacted my writing practices include audience and evidence. I not only directed my audience towards certain readers but also to “readers” such as Rosina Lippi-Green and Emma Thompson despite Thompson not writing the BBC article. My example served as evidence for this topic so I practically responded to my evidence when writing this paper.

The Course Learning Goals I achieved include “Gather, interpret, assess and critically evaluate information and arguments from a variety of sources and points of view.” Because some of the sources shared similar opinions while others were opposite of each other. Another useful course goal was to “Locate research sources in the library’s databases or archives on the internet and evaluate them for credibility, accuracy, and bias.