Language Dialect

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Should schools teach in the regional dialect of their students or should they teach the students to speak the standard dialect of the language?

Regional

Standard

Two lessons - stop after wallmart guy. 

The Dialect Debate

The question of whether schools should teach in the regional dialect of their students or in the standard dialect of the language is a complex one with no easy answer. However, in general, it is recommended that schools teach the standard dialect of the language.

The reason for this is that the standard dialect is generally the most widely spoken and understood variety of the language, and it is the one that is typically used in formal settings such as business, academia, and government. Learning the standard dialect can therefore be very beneficial for students in terms of their future opportunities and success.

However, it is also important for schools to recognize and respect the regional dialects of their students. Students should be allowed to use their own dialects in informal settings and should not be penalized for doing so. Additionally, teachers should be trained to recognize and understand the dialects of their students so that they can communicate effectively with them.

In short, while schools should prioritize teaching the standard dialect of the language, they should also acknowledge and respect the regional dialects of their students and work to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Definition of Dialect

A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists.

The problem with this definition is that it implies that there is some sort of "standard" language from which all of the various dialects of that language differ. In English, however, I do not think this is true. I think that the English language is far too widespread and varies too much for anyone to say that the English spoken in ____ is "standard" and everything else is a "dialect." Even if it were narrowed down to a single country, there is still a great deal of variation within that country, and who is to say which region/city/state/province speaks proper English?

The term is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors, such as social class.

. English dialects may be different from each other, but all speakers within the English-speaking world can still generally understand them. A speaker from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for instance, might pepper his speech with localised vocabulary, such as gan for “to go” or clarts for “mud”. He may often use regional grammatical constructions, such as the past tense constructions I’ve went and I’ve drank or the reflexive pronouns mysel, yoursel, hissel etc. In addition he probably uses a range of local pronunciations. For all these reasons he could be described as a Geordie dialect speaker.

English Big Three

British English (SE) (RP)

Australian English (AuAE)

American English (AME)

In British English the standard, known as Standard English (SE), is historically based on the language of the medieval English court of Chancery.The late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries saw the establishment of this standard as the norm of "polite" society, that is to say of the upper classes. The spoken standard has come to be seen as a mark of good education and social prestige. Although often associated with the RP accent British received pronunciation), SE can be spoken with any accent.

. For example, in America, there's Southern dialect, West-coast dialect, "urban" dialect, New England, New York, etc. The standard for America is the midwestern accent. – also known as the newscasters accent.

 Australian English is a variety of the English spoken in Ireland and London’s East End with changes because of the Australian environment. Ie Kangaroo.

There's a lot of different types of English. But essentially, the differences amount to mostly just slang/expressions and spelling. No matter what dialect you speak of English, you can still basically understand any other dialect.

Standard languages commonly feature:

• A recognized dictionary (standardized spelling and vocabulary)
  
• A recognized grammar
  
• A standard pronunciation (educated speech)
  
• A linguistic institution defining usage norms,
  
• Effective public use (court, legislature, schools)
  
• A literary canon
  
• Convenience speaking
  
• Popularity and acceptance in the community
  
• Population
  
• 
  

Dialect or Accent?

What’s the difference?

Accent refers to the sounds that are present in a person's language. Pronunciation is basically a synonym of accent. Therefore, if I pronounce differently from someone, I have a different accent. We all have an accent. Dialect is something greater. A dialect is a version of a language that is special to a particular region or group. Dialects of the same language are different from each other, but still understandable to speakers of another dialect of that language. For example, American English and British English are two dialects of English. They have some differences, such as in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, but they are still understandable to each other

You have different speech communities.

Geographical – settlement patterns

Ethnic – African American (biggest) Jews, Italians. Latinos, Vietnamese

Distict characters are traced to another language ie Pensilvanian Dutch back to German – Make the windows shut

Social dialects – social class that you are in. The study is socialect.

Show video

What is Social Class?

Social class involves grouping people together and according them status within society according to the groups they belong to.

However, there is not a consensus on the best definition of the term "class," and the term has different contextual meanings. In common parlance, the term "social class" is usually synonymous with "socio-economic class," defined as "people having the same social, economic, or educational status" e.g., "the working class"; "an emerging professional class."[2] However, academics distinguish social class and socioeconomic status, with the former referring to one’s relatively stable sociocultural background and the latter referring to one’s current social and economic situation and, consequently, being more changeable over time.

Indexes of Social Class

• How you look
  
• How you dress
  
• How you talk
  
• What you like to do
  
• Where you live
  
• What your house looks like
  
• What you eat - a lot of food, good tasting food, good looking food
  

A number of modern thinkers have tried todefine what makes a particular “socialclass.”– Is it accent?–…neighborhood?–…occupation?–…income?–…wealth?–…family?

The interview reveals the thought behind Larry the Cable Guy. Whitney describes himself as a “linguistic chameleon” and finds that he tunes into the accents of those around him, whether they are from the mid-west or the deep south. That ear for accents helps him understand the people around him and connect. Psychologists find that many people subconsciously do this as a means of empathy. Whitney uses it for comedy.

Some people feel that his comedy makes fun of country people, but that is the far from his intention. He isn’t mocking country people, but creating a big persona that allows his comedy to land better. If he were a Brooklyn hipster, it could be offensive, but he is doing accents like we all do while telling stories. 

Ask class what they would do if I started talking Black/African American Venecular/ Jive/Ebonics? White respectable lady? Would they take me seriously?

QUIZ

How do you say things?

U and non-U English usage, where "U" stands for upper class, and "non-U" represents the aspiring middle classes, was part of the terminology of popular discourse of social dialects (sociolects) in Britain in the 1950s. The different vocabularies can often appear quite counter-intuitive: the middle classes prefer "fancy" or fashionable words, even neologisms and often euphemisms, in attempts to make themselves sound more refined ("posher than posh"), while the upper classes in many cases stick to the same plain and traditional words that the working classes also use, as, confident in the security of their social position, they have no need to seek to display refinement.

Idea from Nancy Midford - IT girl and writer in th 1930-50's 

What are you using when you spray a liquid sub-stance to your body to enhance your smell?

1. Oder
2. Perfume
3. Scent
4. Cologne

Those in the upper classes dub it a 'scent', not a perfume or fragrance.

'Scent', is a term that brings to mind hunting, shooting and fishing - all outdoor activities that were popular with the upper class. Keep in mind this it was the Upperclass who owned or had the easiest access to places where one could hunt, shoot or fish. 

What do you NOT say when you ask to go to the restroom?

1. Toilet
2. W (ater) C (loset)
3. Facilities
4. the Ladies/Gents

Toilet: According to Kate, this term is detested because of its French origins. The royal family apparently say 'loo' or 'lavatory' instead. Kate says you should never use the terms 'gents', 'ladies' 'bathroom' or 'powder room'.

You must check your reflection to ascertain that you look your best. What do you look into?

1. mirror
2. relector
3. looking glass
4. prisim

The use of the word 'looking glass' has become less common over time, even amoung British upperclass. However in Mitford's formative years only the non-U speakers would say 'mirror'

As an Upperclass person you have just visited my abode. You meet my gaze and say, 'You hae a lovely home'.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

According to Mitford, members of the UC would say instead "You have a very nice house."The would be complimenting the actual edifice (the house) rather than referring to the intangible concept of 'home'. 

It's cold. You start a fire. What do you call the ornate structure built around the fireplace?

1. Chimneypiece
2. Mantelpiece
3. Firepiece mantel
4. Hearthshelf

Chimneypiece was the accepted term of the British upper class. People who used the words 'mantlepiece' or 'fireplace mantle' immediately revealed their decided nonU - ness. 

As a member of the Upperclass, what do you call the last course of dinner?

1. Pudding
2. Sweet
3. Dessert
4. Afters

Mitford explains that pudding was the term Upperclass speakers used whe refering to any dessert. The words 'sweet' and 'afters' were common in Britain, but not amoung the Upperclass. 'Dessert' is the common word for the final course in the United States

You love fruit preserves on your toast in the morning.What is the word for this type of spread?

1. Jelly
2. Jam
3. Marmelade
4. Preserve

Jam is a common word for both U and non-U speakers in Britain. However, only non-U would refer to the fruitspread as jelly, preserve, or marmalade. 

Guests have arrived to your lovely estate. Which room do you invite them into?

1. Drawingroom
2. Lounge
3. Formal Livingroom
4. Morning room

The drawing-room was traditionally the room used when one had company. This word is used less frequently in modern times, and mainly in England. The only reason people would refer to a room as a drawing-room is to distinguish from the other (many) gathering rooms. 

 Royals don't have a lounge, the have a 'drawing room' or a 'sitting room'. 'Living room' is equally as frowned upon.

How do you, impart information of your grandmother's death? You say.....

1. She passed on
2. She expired
3. She died
4. She perished

U-speakers typically use words that are more specific, concise and less politically correct. Non-U speakers, in an effort to sound more refined, tend to use euphemistic and grander-sounding words. 

You have deigned to speak to a non-U person. You wish for your companion to repeat something they said, so you say, 'Pardon?".

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

In Mitford's view, the Upperclass would never say 'Pardon". They are more likely to say "what?"or even "Eh?". 

Apparently 'pardon' is a curse word in upper class circles. Instead plump for 'sorry' or even 'what'.There is a wry tale about a young English boy who informed his teacher ,  'My Mummy says pardon is a worse word than #*$%(."

You plan to write a letter to an old school friend. On what type of paper are you writing?

1. Note paper
2. Card Stock
3. Loose leaf
4. Writing paper

In her novel "The Pursuit of Love" which was based on her childhood experiences, Uncle Matthew, a patriarchal character in the novel, begins to rant when a young lady asks for note-paper instead of writing-paper. Indignant he yells 'I was always led to suppose that no educated person ever spoke of notepaper, and yet I hear poor Franny asking Sadie for notepaper'. In Mitford's British Upperclass upbringing, writing paper was the only acceptable term for paper used to write letters or notes upon. 

Three Ways to Speak English

Jamila Lyiscott is a “tri-tongued orator;” in her powerful spoken-word essay “Broken English,” she celebrates — and challenges — the three distinct flavors of English she speaks with her friends, in the classroom and with her parents. As she explores the complicated history and present-day identity that each language represents, she unpacks what it means to be “articulate.”

What factors influence language and identity?

End of lesson in DtE notebook . Write the answer to the question and then focus on themselves and how language infulences their own identity. 

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