The following links are to three different variations of "The Night Before Christmas." We are all familiar with the traditional version, and I am sure most of us have even heard "The Cajun Night Before Christmas." However, for those of us who are not familiar, I would like to introduce a new version to think about.
Originial - http://www.christmas-tree.com/stories/nightbeforechristmas.html
Cajun - http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=1022468
Ebonics - http://www.gamesquad.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19599
The two variations of the original poem bring insight into two separate regions and cultures. The Cajun poem uses examples of the Cajun French dialect, and the ebonics poem demonstrates use of AAVE. As readers, we find these humorous because they depict a typical stereotype of a particular dialect. However, do some find it offensive? Is it possible that some feel that they are being falsely portrayed? For those of you from Louisiana, do you feel that "The Cajun Night Before Christmas" is amusing because it is an accurate description of your life or of someone you know? Or is it just something you find entertaining overall? As I read the Cajun version , I noticed that it depicts its speakers as overindulgers (mainly with food and alcohol). They also refer to alligators, which is what we are immediately reminded of when we think of the bayou. (When I first became a student at LSU, I remember people asking me if Louisiana residents actually rode alligators.) Moreover, the ebonics version implies that people who speak this way are accustomed to a life of thievery and crime.
I think that taking traditional literature and translating it into another culture can be very helpful when we are trying to understand something we are not part of. The only thing is, we have to be careful not to misrepresent an image or insult a way of life. As I have learned this semester, preserving our diversity is important to our identity and individuality.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
New dictionary includes 'ginormous'
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/2007-07-10-dictionary-new-words_N.htm#open-share-help
In class, we are always discussing how to and if we should allow AAVE in the classroom, be it spoken or written. My question is, what if the word that students use outside of the classroom that is not formal is included in the dictionary? This presents a real problem for me. 'Ginormous' is not a word. It is a combination of two words, gigantic and enormous. Either of those words would be appropriate in a paper, when used as an adjective. However, should 'ginormous' be acceptable? In my opinion, no. It is a word that is to be used outside of the classroom with friends or in a text message. I can tell students that are in high school now that they know the difference between formal and informal words. What I worry about is the students who have yet to enter kindergarden and do not know formal from informal or what a dictionary is. When they learn about the dictionary these words, created words, will be in there. Will there soon be a class where students have to learn which dictionary words are appropriate and which aren't? Are teachers going to have to make a list of which words are appropriate to be used in papers?
In class, we are always discussing how to and if we should allow AAVE in the classroom, be it spoken or written. My question is, what if the word that students use outside of the classroom that is not formal is included in the dictionary? This presents a real problem for me. 'Ginormous' is not a word. It is a combination of two words, gigantic and enormous. Either of those words would be appropriate in a paper, when used as an adjective. However, should 'ginormous' be acceptable? In my opinion, no. It is a word that is to be used outside of the classroom with friends or in a text message. I can tell students that are in high school now that they know the difference between formal and informal words. What I worry about is the students who have yet to enter kindergarden and do not know formal from informal or what a dictionary is. When they learn about the dictionary these words, created words, will be in there. Will there soon be a class where students have to learn which dictionary words are appropriate and which aren't? Are teachers going to have to make a list of which words are appropriate to be used in papers?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
MSNBC Ebonics Debate with Tucker Carlson
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=&vid=a2e5e2fe-2bfb-4591-9407-2ef77b52ec3e
I find that this video shows many of the controversial sides of the Ebonics or AAVE debate. I think that this video shows the many struggles and thoughts that we have debated over this semester. I don’t agree with many of Tucker Carlson’s views of Ebonics or AAVE. I find that he presents AAVE as a very negative language and stereotypes these students and the language as being ignorant. He commented how Ebonics is “associated with failure.” After our discussions this semester and reading the various articles, I disagree with this statement. I have seen through my observations how many of the students who use AAVE can be very intelligent and insightful. I do agree with his points about how accents in the workforce can hurt or hinder job chances. I think that this discussion shows how language is very important part of our society and the conflicts that can arise from it.
I find myself being very conflicted when taking into consideration Ebonics in the classroom. Should teachers stress Standard English entirely or is there a place for Ebonics to work with education. I think that the opposing views expressed in this discussion present how AAVE can be used to improve test results. I am left with several questions from the discussion in the video. Should results on a test determine what is correct or not correct in the classroom? Should our society and the education field be mainly concerned with students getting jobs? I am very curious to hear other people’s opinions about the comments that were expressed in this discussion.
I find that this video shows many of the controversial sides of the Ebonics or AAVE debate. I think that this video shows the many struggles and thoughts that we have debated over this semester. I don’t agree with many of Tucker Carlson’s views of Ebonics or AAVE. I find that he presents AAVE as a very negative language and stereotypes these students and the language as being ignorant. He commented how Ebonics is “associated with failure.” After our discussions this semester and reading the various articles, I disagree with this statement. I have seen through my observations how many of the students who use AAVE can be very intelligent and insightful. I do agree with his points about how accents in the workforce can hurt or hinder job chances. I think that this discussion shows how language is very important part of our society and the conflicts that can arise from it.
I find myself being very conflicted when taking into consideration Ebonics in the classroom. Should teachers stress Standard English entirely or is there a place for Ebonics to work with education. I think that the opposing views expressed in this discussion present how AAVE can be used to improve test results. I am left with several questions from the discussion in the video. Should results on a test determine what is correct or not correct in the classroom? Should our society and the education field be mainly concerned with students getting jobs? I am very curious to hear other people’s opinions about the comments that were expressed in this discussion.
Flocabulary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT8T0wy2pMw
The Flocabulary website states the purpose of this program is to use "educational power of hip-hop music to foster literacy and promote academic success in the classroom and beyond. Through a range of multimedia products and live performance programs, we bring our concept of music and learning to students and teachers worldwide."
The creators of Flocabulary boast that by using SAT-level vocabulary in their lyrics, they are able to increase the interest of students, as well as improve their test scores. This video clip features inner-city students who actively use AAVE as a standard dialect while being interviewed and filmed. They seemed genuinely interesting in learning new material because it was presented in a fun, creative way. The students were also able to catch on quickly because this type of music was obviously relative to their own lifestyles.
I feel that this program would be a great way to incorporate learning with lifestyle. This has been something we as a class have discussed all semester. It would allow the students to be more comfortable and confident in their classroom. The use of Flocabulary (or similar methods of teaching) would let students know that it is okay - and even encouraged - to bring their personality and diversity into the classroom.
After watching this clip, I wonder if this particular technique is only motivating to urban students, or those who live in an area where rap and hip-hop define their culture. For example, would it be as effective if these lyrics were put to country or rock music? Does it depend on the region? What about their age? The statistics that Flocabulary advertises are impressive, but I would be very interested to see something like this firsthand!
For more information, visit http://www.flocabulary.com/.
The Flocabulary website states the purpose of this program is to use "educational power of hip-hop music to foster literacy and promote academic success in the classroom and beyond. Through a range of multimedia products and live performance programs, we bring our concept of music and learning to students and teachers worldwide."
The creators of Flocabulary boast that by using SAT-level vocabulary in their lyrics, they are able to increase the interest of students, as well as improve their test scores. This video clip features inner-city students who actively use AAVE as a standard dialect while being interviewed and filmed. They seemed genuinely interesting in learning new material because it was presented in a fun, creative way. The students were also able to catch on quickly because this type of music was obviously relative to their own lifestyles.
I feel that this program would be a great way to incorporate learning with lifestyle. This has been something we as a class have discussed all semester. It would allow the students to be more comfortable and confident in their classroom. The use of Flocabulary (or similar methods of teaching) would let students know that it is okay - and even encouraged - to bring their personality and diversity into the classroom.
After watching this clip, I wonder if this particular technique is only motivating to urban students, or those who live in an area where rap and hip-hop define their culture. For example, would it be as effective if these lyrics were put to country or rock music? Does it depend on the region? What about their age? The statistics that Flocabulary advertises are impressive, but I would be very interested to see something like this firsthand!
For more information, visit http://www.flocabulary.com/.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Fox News: Ax or Asked?
http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=X_KKLkmIrDk&rel=1&eurl=http%3A//video.search.yahoo.com/video/play%3Fp%3DBlack%2BEnglish%26n%3D21%26ei%3Dutf-8%26js%3D1%26fr%3Dyfp-t-356%26fr2%3Dtab-web&iurl=http%3A//i.ytimg.com/vi/X_KKLkmIrDk/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskInpzbnpdo6BDzdkIerGFzq
I found that this news story dealt with many of the issues that we have covered throughout this semester. From this story I find myself seeing Standard English as important in society but I do also see how keeping individual cultures and dialect is important as well. Mr. Mcclendon showed a major focus on the students’ future and how their speech will affect job options. Both teachers interviewed showed a real importance for job readiness and the speech that is needed in the professional world. I do agree that speech is a factor in getting a job. I don’t agree with limiting students in their speech and not teaching them to translate. I find that Mr. Mcclendon’s teaching style tends to be very limiting and oppressive.
I definitely did not see Mr. Mcclendon show the student’s own dialect in a positive manner. This style of teaching is very different from the video we watched a few weeks ago. I find that Mr. Mcclendon did take into consideration their families and the roles that they have in the student’s lives. It seems that he is blaming everyone for the students not know Standard English. How much of the student’s own culture and dialect is lost when using this teaching style? Is this style of teaching really efficient and effective for the student’s learning? Should professional teachers correct grammar in this manner?
I found that this news story dealt with many of the issues that we have covered throughout this semester. From this story I find myself seeing Standard English as important in society but I do also see how keeping individual cultures and dialect is important as well. Mr. Mcclendon showed a major focus on the students’ future and how their speech will affect job options. Both teachers interviewed showed a real importance for job readiness and the speech that is needed in the professional world. I do agree that speech is a factor in getting a job. I don’t agree with limiting students in their speech and not teaching them to translate. I find that Mr. Mcclendon’s teaching style tends to be very limiting and oppressive.
I definitely did not see Mr. Mcclendon show the student’s own dialect in a positive manner. This style of teaching is very different from the video we watched a few weeks ago. I find that Mr. Mcclendon did take into consideration their families and the roles that they have in the student’s lives. It seems that he is blaming everyone for the students not know Standard English. How much of the student’s own culture and dialect is lost when using this teaching style? Is this style of teaching really efficient and effective for the student’s learning? Should professional teachers correct grammar in this manner?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
White Voters Attracted to Obama's 'Articulate' Side
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/01/clinton-backer-obama-will-probably-win-white-voters-attracted-to-his-articulate-side/
This article seems to show that in today's time it is assumed that African Americans cannot speak 'proper' English. When an African American takes the stage to give a speach, the first thought in many people's head is "oh boy. I wonder if he can speak correctly". What I did not understand about the article was the comment made by Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. He said, "If you put him on a level with a lot of other African American public speakers, he may not even measure up." What does he mean? Does he mean that Obama's English/speaking skills really aren't that good and considered not 'proper' or correct? This comment also showed that there are African Americans out there who strive to speak standard English and that they judge other speakers, of their own race or different, in the same way that a Caucasion would judge an African American. Another thing that I find interesting about this article is that it seems to be suggesting that white voters are voting for Obama because he is articulate. Do they think that he is representing the "change" because he is an African American who speaks properly? Do they think that white voters are voting for him because they think that just because he speaks properly he must have had a good education and therefore must be intellegent enough to run the country?
This article seems to show that in today's time it is assumed that African Americans cannot speak 'proper' English. When an African American takes the stage to give a speach, the first thought in many people's head is "oh boy. I wonder if he can speak correctly". What I did not understand about the article was the comment made by Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. He said, "If you put him on a level with a lot of other African American public speakers, he may not even measure up." What does he mean? Does he mean that Obama's English/speaking skills really aren't that good and considered not 'proper' or correct? This comment also showed that there are African Americans out there who strive to speak standard English and that they judge other speakers, of their own race or different, in the same way that a Caucasion would judge an African American. Another thing that I find interesting about this article is that it seems to be suggesting that white voters are voting for Obama because he is articulate. Do they think that he is representing the "change" because he is an African American who speaks properly? Do they think that white voters are voting for him because they think that just because he speaks properly he must have had a good education and therefore must be intellegent enough to run the country?
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