Pynchon and Dialect ( was NP Ebonics (was It ain't only Rock & Roll, it's Jazz too))

[David Morris]

--- davemarc <davemarc at panix.com> wrote:
> 
<< As the links I posted should have made clear, the educators believe that
being honest and respectful regarding their students' "home languages" should
help them learn standard grammar--or, as David put it, "grammer.">>

Cheap shot.
 
<< Let's say "grammer" was part of David's home language.  The "old school"
might insist that David was categorically wrong, no matter how many examples
David could cite from his home language.  In contrast, the "new school" might
inform David that the standard English spelling is "grammar" without demeaning
David's intelligence or that of his family, community, or culture. What's so
bad about that?  It's much more scholarly.>>

I guess you are reacting to my using the term "ghetto-talk."  It's no different
than the term "home language," and it was meant to be descriptive, not
demeaning.   I don't think I ever argued that a teacher should denigrate a
student, but that teaching SE is crucial for freeing a ghetto youth from the
ghetto.  Nobody in the ghetto idalizes the ghetto.  They do form "clubs" by way
of their lingo, but given the choice they'd eagerly quit that club for
financial success.

Have you ever heard of the mega-rich rapper Masta.P? (
http://www.mastap.istcool.de/ )  He grew up in one of the projects (horrible
places - people are shot nearly every day in one of them - "gunshot wound" it
says in their obits)  here in New Orleans.  He's one of the few to get out of
the ghetto with out having to speak SE.  As soon as he made his millions he
moved into a mansion in a "gated community" surrounded by the upper clas whites
who fled the City to avoid blacks from the ghetto.  I love it.

David Morris



__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online
http://webhosting.yahoo.com