Defining Language Jeta Donovan September 19, 2011

AGENDA Orality vs. Print Literacy mini-debate Question Carousel Linguistics Web Defending the TRUE linguist’s position Prompt 2 Linguistic Prejudice Paper

Orality vs. Print Literacy “Spoken language is the real language, and writing is merely a representation of it” (Thomas & Tchudi, 1999, p. 45). “If speaking makes us human, writing makes us civilized” (Pyles & Alger, 1994, p. 9). Defend your side!

Orality to Literacy Fleeting Fleeting Logic is situational Logic is situational Narrative, myth, poetry Narrative, myth, poetry Situated in social settings Situated in social settings Lasting Lasting Logical, structured Logical, structured Analytic Analytic Skill stratification Skill stratification Writing as a tool for advancement Writing as a tool for advancement Orality Literacy Back to the Great Divide Theory

Linguistics! Phonetics Considers where sounds are produced in the body Considers the property of sounds (intensity, frequency, duration) Phonology Phoneme: basic unit of sound in a language Phonemic awareness – ability to distinguish and produce sounds and to combine them to form words Semantics The study of meaning in language Syntax The study of how words are arranged to form meaningful utterances (word order--SVO) Morphology Smallest unit of meaning is morpheme (Free & Bound Morphemes) Pragmatics Understanding how language is used Text

Defending the TRUE linguist’s position Directions: Each group will be given an argument of common misconceptions about language. Your group’s task is to present a cogent defense to Joe the Plumber’s “linguistic” beliefs.

Linguistic Prejudice Paper SelfWorldText * A new student arrived at my school this year a few months into the school year. We were on a Saturday trip with a group of students, and this was my first real chance to chat with her outside of class. I could tell that she wanted to talk with me, was interested in finding out about me, seemed to want my approval. As we’re chatting, out of the blue, she comments “you know some of my family on my mom’s side is white.” I looked at her for a moment and then felt the need to ask her why she had so suddenly shared that information with me. She responded, “Well, that’s why I don’t talk like the rest of these kids. That’s why I talk more like you.” She, like many of us, was essentializing speech, viewing it as something tied innately to us rather than as a choice or social circumstance. I’ve heard similar comments when discussing Pres. Obama’s dialect with my students. They commented: “Well, he talks like that because his mother was white.” *Sen. Harry Reid, states that then pres. candidate Obama will likely be elected because he speaks “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.” A few things are interesting about this. One, Sen. Reid seems to see this “choice” of dialect as something rare, a unique talent of Pres. Obama’s. The truth of the matter is that we all do this in some fashion--make choices about how and when to use different linguistic forms. Two, Sen. Reid recognizes how prejudiced society is not only to skin color but to the way people speak. How interesting that these would be the two factors he would point out... * pretty much anything form My Fair Lady. Some of the quotes by Prof. Higgins at the start of the film would be interesting to unpack. Although he definitely manifests many prejudices about speech, he also has this odd progressive view of language as a choice, a habit that can be changed. He views class and station in life as something malleable. It might be interesting to look at the closing of that film through a sociolinguistic lens--she no longer seems to authentically fit in either world.

Linguistic Prejudice Paper Criteria for Linguistic Prejudice paper Content Selects a relevant example from personal history, media, news, or texts. Clearly describes example--provides a full and fair snapshot of event Explains why this exemplifies linguistic prejudice Unpacks biases and latent beliefs underlying example Identifies stake-holders in this event--who is affected, what goods are they pursuing Considers relevance of these prejudice to literacy learning in general or your classroom in particular. Points: __________/8 Style Clearly and logically written. Ideas are thoughtful and analytical. Makes an overall, cohesive argument. Points: __________/4 Presentation Attention to grammar and mechanics. Turned in on due date Points: __________/3