language

[David Morris]

--- jbor <jbor at bigpond.com> wrote:
> Well, the attitude of the conservative politicians and media is that since
African-American English isn't a "real" or "proper" language (i.e. because it's
"mangled" and "aberrant", an "argot") then it needn't - or mustn't - be
acknowledged, respected or addressed in the educational process (except as a
"deficit" which students will have to "overcome"). Because their low
achievement in standardised literacy tests isn't recognised and treated in
terms of linguistic development, the students who communicate in AAVE as their
home language invariably end up in remedial classes alongside students who have
learning difficulties or behavioural problems.

When a student cannot pass a standardised literacy tests have a deficit that
they need to overcome.  That is a fact beyond debate.  The nature of that
deficit and the best to overcome it are matters for debate.   That students
with learning difficulties or behavioural problems end up in the same classes
as those with deficient literacy/grammar skills does not suggest that Ebonics
should be taught.  It's just plain old bad management.  That is altogether
another topic.

David Morris

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