Questions....

So far, I have understood the content and issues raised both in the material and in discussion. I guess the only thing I don't fully understand is why we need to treat different dialects differently than we treat different languages. Technically, the United States does not have an official language yet students of all languages still learn English in school. Likewise, almost every English speaker has a vernacular dialect that differs from Standard English. So why not have a standard for the education, commercial, and professional world?

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that one dialect, language, or vernacular is not superior, "correct," or "better" than another. If we look at several examples, we see that common languages are used to help people with any variety of differences communicate. Sports fans have terms, phrases, expressions, and languages that are unique to each sport; someone outside of the community would be completely confused by much of the lingo. The professional world is an obvious example that covers any profession: doctors and nurses, dentists and hygienists, psychologists and therapists, etc., etc. all have a unique language to describe, explain, and communicate in a way that only members of that community understand. However, there is Standard English to unite all of these people--there is a way to express what one means to someone outside of a language community, thanks to Standard English.

Standard English is also uniting the world. As we have discussed in class, there are far more non-native speakers of English than native speakers. Why are people all over the globe learning English? Because it is a common language that can help people across large distances communicate. Although different dialects of English exist internationally, most countries (especially in Europe) teach Standard English as a required high school class.

Again, I believe we need to respect students' differences and emphasize the fact that those differences, whatever they may be, do not have a hierarchy. I have full confidence that we can do this in a classroom while still teaching students one common language that will better prepare them for their futures.