The Issue of Dialect

What is the difference between a dialect and a language?

Dialects are variations of the same spoken language.

Speakers of two dialects can understand one another.

Three Features of Dialect

1. Pronunciation Same written word pronounced differently Biblical example: shibboleth (Judges 12:5-6)

2. Syntax Rules of grammar may differ slightly

3. Vocabulary Same concept represented by different words

Two Types of Dialects

Regional Dialects Associated with a geographic area Slowly fading due to media and mobility

Social Dialects Associated with a social/ethnic group Not spoken by all members of the group Many speakers can shift styles

Three Major U.S. Regional Dialects

Northern

Midland

Southern

North vs. South

Northern Dialect Southern Dialect

pail bucket

press (the button) mash (the button)

spatula egg turner

teeter-totter seesaw

might be able might could

pop soda

Examples of Vocabulary

North vs. South

Northern Dialect Southern Dialect

pecan (pē kän´) pecan (pē´ kan)

pen pin

cement (sə mĕnt´) cement (sē´ mĕnt)

on (n) on (ōn)

business (bĭz´ nəs) business (bĭd´ nəs)

Examples of Pronunciation

Test Yourself!

Which of the regional dialects, by an executive agreement reached in New York City, became the gold standard of broadcast journalism during the advent of television in the late 1940s?

Northern

Midland

Southern

Test Yourself!

Which of the regional dialects, by an executive agreement reached in New York City, became the gold standard of broadcast journalism during the advent of television in the late 1940s?

Northern

Midland

Southern

Regional Dialects

Regional dialects encompass the entire English-speaking world. Dialects spoken in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, for example, are in the same category as U.S. regional dialects.

Winston Churchill, 1874-1965

Britain and America are two nations separated by a common language.

Social Dialects

The most important social dialect in America is called

African-American Vernacular English (AAVE). AAVE is also called “Black English” and “Ebonics.” Syntax is an important feature as it relates to the

verb to be. In AAVE, the verb to be is not always

conjugated (e.g., “He be sick.”) AAVE differs from Midland English mostly in matters

of pronunciation.

Social Dialects

Feature Example

Dropped l help = hĕp

Dropped r your = yō

th = ch with = wĭch

th = d the = də

sk = ks ask = aks

st = sk street = skreet

Examples of AAVE Pronunciation

Does AAVE stand in the way of learning to read?

Does AAVE stand in the way of learning to read?

There is no SBRR on this point, but dialecticians argue that AAVE is not a problem.

But don’t kids need to know Standard English?

But don’t kids need to know Standard English?

Dialecticians point out that no one actually speaks Standard English.

In fact, they dislike the term Standard English. What we all must learn to read is called “Edited American English.”

Which no one speaks – except Professor McKenna.

But what if reading materials were available in AAVE?

Experiments with “Black Readers”

Attempts to use AAVE readers in the 1960s failed for three reasons:

1. Not all African-American children spoke AAVE.

2. Effectiveness studies proved that the readers did not

work.

3. African-American parents objected to their use.

Lisa Delpit has called the prestige Midland dialect the “Power Code,” arguing that its use is a prerequisite to economic success in America.

But shouldn’t we insist on correct pronunciations when children read?

But shouldn’t we insist on correct pronunciations when children read?

As a rule, no. There are at least four good reasons for not always correcting them.

Reason 1 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

There is no linguistic standard for “correctness.” Some pronunciations are simply more prevalent than others.

Test yourself:How do you pronounce these words?

MissouriArkansas

1

Reason 1 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

There is no linguistic standard for “correctness.” Some pronunciations are simply more prevalent than others.

Test yourself:How do you pronounce these words?

MissouriArkansas

1

Reason 1 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

There is no linguistic standard for “correctness.” Some pronunciations are simply more prevalent than others.

Test yourself:How do you pronounce these words?

MissouriArkansas

1

Reason 1 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

There is no linguistic standard for “correctness.” Some pronunciations are simply more prevalent than others.

Try this one:

greasy

1

Reason 2 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

The child’s pronunciation may not affect comprehension. This is the acid test!

Pronouncing help without sounding the l is just not on a par with pronouncing red with a long e.

2

Reason 3 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

Calling attention to every dialect pronunciation may distract young children from comprehending and/or from learning the alphabetic principle.

3

Reason 3 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

Imagine trying to “correct” all of the dialect pronunciations in this sentence:

Text: I can’t write with your pen.

Child: Ah cain’t rot witch yo pin.

3

Reason 4 for not automatically correcting dialect pronunciations

During the middle school years children become aware of the social significance of their dialect.

Without being instructed in how to do so, most learn to shift styles easily, to match the context.

4

– William Labov, 1962

To sum up, remember that dialects are variations of the same spoken language.

To sum up, remember that dialects are variations of the same spoken language.

Languages

English Spanish

To sum up, remember that dialects are variations of the same spoken language.

Languages

English Spanish

Southern Midland Northern

There are two distinct levels.

Languages

English Spanish

Southern Midland Northern

LanguageLevel

DialectLevel

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This is true whether we are describing regional or social dialects.

Languages

English Spanish

“Power Code” AAVE

LanguageLevel

DialectLevel

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Speakers of all dialects must learn to read the same written language.

Languages

English Spanish

“Power Code” AAVE

LanguageLevel

DialectLevel

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The Issue of Ebonics

Ebonics = Ebony + Phonics The rationale is political:

If AAVE could be classified not as a dialect but as a language other than English, ESL funding would become available for schools with high percentages of African-American students.

Teachers in the primary grades should

1. be aware of dialect differences, both social and regional;

2. avoid trying to change children’s dialects by “correcting” their pronunciation; and

3. model the “Power Code” in their own spoken English.