Sep 19, 2011
A Second Language
By Timothy R Butler | Posted at 5:51 AM
The ever interesting Stanley Fish wrote awhile back on students wanting to observe their own “dialects” and “styles” instead of proper English grammar:
And if students infected with the facile egalitarianism of soft multiculturalism declare, “I have a right to my own language,” reply, “Yes, you do, and I am not here to take that language from you; I'm here to teach you another one.” (Who could object to learning a second language?) And then get on with it.
I don't always agree with Fish, but here is one place we are in perfect agreement.
Also Filed Under: Home: Books, Literature and Language: A Second Language
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That's a great way to communicate the role of teaching, whether it's requiring students to follow Strunk & White or helping the 20-something struggling to find work figure out that what he wears really does matter and isn't just an act of oppression.
“Sure, kid, keep your personal language dialect. Keep it away from class, while you're at it.”
Caedmon, I think you are right.
Ed, nicely played.