Baker brings up that there is not specific term for the language that we use in the work place. She calls it a technical kind of language that may be specific to each profession. (At least that's what I think she is saying.) I found that her experiments in getting her students to speak in a work-place manner resulted in the students speaking formal English. What is the difference between our work-place speak and formal English, then? Is it perhaps the level of respect one might use when speaking to a superior; or is it the manner one uses when presenting a project? Is the work-place language that the students used any different from formal English or their home languages or street talk? Some of the scenarios did include students using non-formal English, after all. I consider language used in the workplace SE, usually, unless the workplace is one that is very comfortable and relaxed where SE would not be necessary. What differentiates a work-place language from a form of English that is already used elsewhere? Considering the many types of workplaces, I personally do not think that there can possibly be one specific term for language in the workplace.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Is there a specific Workplace Language?
In Judith Baker's Trilinguilasm, Baker talks about her classroom experiences in studying her students' home languages along with her students. She describes how her students feel more comfortable learning Standard English once they realize how their own home languages fit into their lives and that these forms of English are not unwelcome, only that there is a difference and there is a certain time to use them.
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ReplyDeleteIn chapter 6, Gloria Ladson-Billings main topic is what to do when a student does not care about reading or writing; she goes on to describe how teachers often give permission to fail to students who want to give up. This is by far an interesting chapter to me because my brothers have severe learning disorders; Noah, one of my brothers, sits at home doing homework with my mom for three hours every night. It makes me wonder if his teachers are ever aggravated by his disabilities and let him off easy. I do not want to think that a teacher gave my brother permission to fail. As a future teacher, I know that I never under any circumstance want my students to fail or not learn. But what about those students who really do not want to have anything to do with writing? A teacher must motivate them.
I love how Billings gave an example of a teacher who refused to quit. Mr. Carter Forshay took the grumpy attitudes of his students and made a complete change. He created an assignment that the students found interesting, and they wrote a short story without complaining. In fact, it was probably more like fun work instead of the writing they were used to doing. Carter made me excited to be a teacher because I want to inspire my students the same way. I hope every teacher can experience an unwilling student and be able to motivate them because that is what true teaching is all about.
As for the inquiry, I believe that the difference between work place English and formal English is definitely the degree of respect. Formal English is more of correct grammar whereas work place English may differ in the word choice or sentence structure. It does not vary too much, but a subtle change is there.