DW 1 A

In today’s society people speak in many codes. I notice myself changing the way I speak depending on my atmosphere. I know when I need to be formal and when I can relax with my speech. I also use different forms of speaking with my writing. I use both formal and informal writing styles. Technology such as cell phones and computers have allowed for many new codes to emerge. The way I speak in class may not be the way I talk in the dorm with my roommate. Similarly, the way I speak on the phone to my parents is not the same way I will speak to my friends. New technology programs like facebook and txt-messaging also allow me to “play” with the way I speak. Sources like these allow me to use acronyms and just be very loose with my language choices. For the duration of this post I will focus on the differences between the way I speak at home and at school.

At home I am very relaxed with my speech. I do not always speak in complete sentences and I feel comfortable using words that would not be acceptable/ appropriate in other places (curse words). The main way I speak at home with my parents and friends is with a lot of sarcasm. People who do not know me well may think I have a huge attitude problem or that I am just not a very nice person. However, that’s not the case (I hope) so I only speak that way with my family and friends. I also use a significant amount of slang at home instead of “proper English”. Words like whatcha, dunno, prolly, and whateves are words that I commonly use in my home. At home I like to use the computer and txt on my phone. Here my language is the most simple and relaxed. I use acronyms such as lol, wtf, and btw a lot. My friends understand what I am talking about, but my older professors and teachers in school may not interpret this speech easily.

While at school I try to use proper English the entire time. While I was growing up I was taught that standard English was the correct way to speak. I attended a very small private school in elementary and middle school. Here I was corrected right away if I made a grammatical error while speaking. Even though this was very tedious and annoying it did help be speak better. I was able to converse easily with others and felt confident in answering questions and giving presentations. I learned quickly that the way I spoke at home was not the way I could speak at school. This allowed me to create to codes. School is also where I use proper English because all of my assignments and papers need to be in standard English and not contain slang words. In high school I had very strict English teachers who did not allow any slang words to be used in writings. I also felt personally that proper/standard English was correct to use at school because it gives off the impression intelligence. People judge people they do not know based on their appearance and the way they speak. In school I wanted to be perceived as very intelligent and articulate. I believe that my language at school is more sophisticated that my language at home.

For years people have been using code-switching in their daily lives. The most common example is language use at home and at school. Language is different for everyone around the world. The way I speak and interpret language may not be the same for the person who sits next to me in class, or who teaches my class, or a foreign minister. Language is so diverse which makes it so interesting. With language there is no right or wrong answer.

I have never realized how much my language actually differs from the home and school until I took this class and was told to take note of it. I thought the way I was speaking was the same in both cases. After reading the assigned articles, I believe that Redd and Webb would support my ideas. In their writing. In the articles 'Nature of AAE' and 'What are the Distinctive Features of AAE?' by Redd and Webb, they explain the differences and similarities between AAE and standardized English. They further go on and explain what AAE is and how it can be interpreted. I believe they would support my essay because I compare and contrast the slang I use at home to the standard English I use at home. They say "But African American students are unlikely to incorporate such language in their high school and college essays: they recognize these words as slang and are mindful that most teachers frown on colloquialisms in academic writing. If they can switch to Standard English easily, they may even avoid using slang in class discussions." This quote supports my essay. I stated that I use Standard English at school because I know it is more acceptable and appropriate to use compared to slang. If Redd and Webb were to read my essay I believe they would support my ideas.

IAR on Redd and Webb

1. What is invention? 

The writer used many texts and quotes to emphasis points and create the text. 

Quotes were used from linguists , such as Salikoko Mufwere, and everyday people, like             Muhammad Ali. 

Texts such as Talkin That Talk and Talking and Testifyin were commonly used to help prove a point. 

The texts and quotes made the main points of the writers argument more concise.

2. What is being invented? 

The main questions answered are:

Is AAE 'broken' English?

What is Standard American English?

Is AAE a form of slang?

Is AAE a dialect or language? 

3. What is being arranged? 

Definition of AAE, Comparison to Standard American English, the manner the way the of speaking is interpreted( slang/language/dialect) , the traits of AAE. 

4. What is the arrangement?

Compare and contrast (AAE to SAE)

Definitions and facts from various texts

Quotations and excerpts 

Tables 

5. What is being revised? 

One's perception of AAE as a dialect

Our knowledge of AAE

The various forms of AAE

6. What is revision? 

Quotations from linguists

Excerpts from texts

Examples of the use of AAR