Class Notes 1-25

Pet Peeve grammar

                Me and I, your and you’re, good and well, misused past verbs, txt language, I could care less when it is really I couldn’t care less. Affect vs. effect. It’s vs. its.

“Correct” Language

                It’s language that is not incorrect. Grapholect- written form of a language, (the dialect chosen is the one used by the most powerful people). “Language is a dialect with an army and a navy.”

“How to Tame a Wild Tongue”

                The use of Spanish made people feel left out; however, she pretty much translated it. It really reached those who do have the mix of language. It gave a sense of what she must have felt coming in. Spanish could be throw processes.

                “Who is to say that robbing a people of their language is less violent than war?” Language is a reflection of culture. People lose their identity, it’s how they think and feel, language is how you express yourself. You can’t understand what it going on and you can’t ask anything and be understood. (In wars the first thing to be destroyed are libraries -- because that is where the knowledge is.)

                Trying to change someone’s language is a violation of the first amendment. – if they’re keeping them from speaking yes, if they are making them learn and correcting the learning – no.

                Argument? - Everyone has a different dialect, so let them speak whatever. “I have my language so whatever.”

“Mother Tongue”

                Generational difficulties in learning a new language. The way they treat her mother who doesn’t seem to know but who is actually very knowledgeable.

                It’s also somewhat about expectation. Stereotypes are assumed with accents as well.The appeal of accents is more of a drawl to the exotic.