Re: Ebonic Plague

[Deborah Meltzer <deborah -at- STARQUEST -dot- COM>]

At 07:50 PM 12/20/96 GMT, BrYan Westbrook wrote:
>Since when does not being able to properly speak any language make one
>bilingual?

Just one more post on this subject and I'm outa (oops - I mean "out of")
here (I hope!): The goal of this program is to teach children to translate
African American English into standard English, NOT to be added as a second
language (it already IS a second language for these children that they DO
speak properly). Whether or not this program can meet this goal is not
certain. The current curriculum has not succeeded in meeting this goal. That
is all the information that is certain. If this program WERE successful, you
would see a lot more African Americans on the news speaking standard English
than you presently see. If it were NOT successful, it would at least be a
first attempt at addressing a problem that has existed for a very long time.

>This entire decision is indicative of the welfare mentality.  Its
>proponents do not want to make the effort to learn to speak properly, so
>they want to have their laziness validated.  Listen to anyone on the news
>talking "ebonics" and see if you can take them as seriously as someone =
>who
>is talking proper English.

It may surprise you to know that I am white and have learned standard
American English in the home AND in the schools since babyhood. How "lazy"
are we who have never had to "learn a second language" in order to thrive
and prosper in this society? Ask the majority of Europeans who speak at
least two languages their opinion about our linguistic gymnastics.

In case I haven't made it clear, I truly respect the diversity that exists
on this list and wholeheartedly wish everyone safe and joyous holidays.

Deborah






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Deborah Meltzer
StarQuest Software, Inc.
email: deborah -at- starquest -dot- com
voice: 510/704-2554
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