"English with an Accent"

Paper Summary:

This paper is an extensive review of the ideas put forward in Lippi-Green's book, "English with an Accent". It begins with a short example of the extent of language discrimination. It continues to discuss why a stereotype of people who speak with an accent exists. It also explores the effects that communicating with "improper" English has on society. The paper explains that language is a flexible tool for denoting social status and social allegiances. The author concludes that language discrimination, although subconscious, should be brought to light and dealt with.

From the Paper:

" In school clarity of thought is linked to written language, and there is little effort to separate written from spoken. The aim is to make children active members of literacy communities rather than language communities. The silencing of voices considered unworthy or unequal is done by statements (such as, "It is inappropriate for a law student to ask a question in Hawaii'ian Creole English") (Lippi-Green, 1997, p. 107). A child in the classroom may be criticized for using vernacular English instead of Standard. At home the same child may be criticized for using Standard at the dinner table instead of the family's home language. The task for students is to discern when it is appropriate to use one or the other. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Discover (1994). Baaad Timing, 15, Sept. 18.
• Lippi-Green, R. (1997). English with an accent. London and New York: Routledge.
• Smith, G. B. (2005). I want to speak like a native speaker: The case for lowering the plaintiff'' burden of proof in Title VII Accent Discrimination Cases. Ohio State Law Journal, 66 (1) 231-267.

More papers on "English with an Accent":

• Essay # 138059 : "Accent Reduction Therapy"
• Research Paper # 145631 : "Phonetics and Culture"
• Comparison Essay # 111264 : "Racism and Language"

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