The Societal and Educational Affects of Dialects

Paper Summary:

Every variety of language spoken, even that which is known as standard English, is a dialect. Many people believe stereotypes about certain dialects and thus treat people as they perceive them to be. This paper shows that one of the most common known dialects in the United States is Ebonics, or the dialect spoken by many African Americans. There are numerous assumptions regarding this dialect by people in community and educational life. This paper shows that there are, however, many techniques teachers and other officials may incorporate into their classroom activities to help lessen dialectical stereotypes and help to raise the self-esteem and grades of the children who speak them.

Paper Outline:
Abstract
The Societal and Educational of Dialects in The United States Today
Identity and Negative Attitudes
Ebonics
Education
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"Despite the differences in the varieties of Ebonics, there are some features marked by all or most types. Ebonics has picked up many of its pronunciation from white, southern coastal dialects. This is seen especially with the use of the /r/-less word use (Bonvillain, 2003; Mufwene & Gilman, as cited by Chaika, 1994). Bonvillain (2003) and Chaika (1994) also discuss the trait of the dropping of final consonants in Ebonics. This characteristic makes rhyming words out of "field" and "wheel." Ebonics also uses the form "be" for all tenses of "am." (Chaika, 1994). Chaika (1994) gives the example of the Ebonics sentence "Do babes be willin'?" as translated to "Are babes always willing?" (p. 300)."

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