The Problem in the Educational System: Standard English only?

Often children are being discriminated against because of their inaccuracy in speaking standard English. But is it true that people who speak better standard English are necessarily superior? In the BBC news article, titled Actress Emma Thompson attacks the use of sloppy language displayed the perspective of the Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson on teenagers using slang alongside with two other language specialist’s statement; one disagreeing and the other supporting. In the article, Thompson said to the Radio Times that she told the students in her former school that slang words are making them look stupid and that people who do not speak “proper” English makes her feel insane. Matter of fact, a public figure can be influential to a society based on their words. By means Thompson a well-known actress in discriminating against language (slang.) Although it is Thompson’s point of view, the widespread criticism she made might offend people such as teenagers and immigrants while they use slang as a way to build community; as they are the majority of the United States population. Thus, Thompson extensively creating internalized prejudice among the different English speakers by influencing her supporters to think they are somewhat better because of their proficiency with standard English. Ultimately, segregating the non-standard English speakers in the education system worldwide, as well as in the United States.

On the opposite end of the Standard Language spectrum, Lippi Green, the author of the book English with an Accent, wrote in the first chapter called the “linguistic facts of life” that there is no such thing as superior or right and wrong in the English language. One of her linguistic facts of life is that English variation is intrinsic to all spoken language at every level. Lippi-Green emphasizes the idea of the general public being forced by the institutional practices to seek the “proper” English; it is something that does not exist because if standard English is “proper” English, then there will be a language variation. All the dialects and language are equal because it all provides the means to communicate efficiently; this statement proves that there are no needs to acquire perfect standard English skills. On top of the assertion, children and adults are more proficient at communicating with their home tongue than using only standard English.

As a teenager myself, I found the universal language for teenagers to use in the 20th century would be “slang,” and celebrities or people like Thompson would think slang is destructive to standard English. Thompson said not speaking in slang will allow people to get “personal freedom.” While the exact definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. This statement is not only discriminating against the basis of English variations but also attempting to put an end to languages or dialects other than standard English.

Figure 2: Meme

            To this day, I believe everyone who lives in the city at least text once in their life. As we all know, there is a whole new language, shortcut, or slang, however, you like to call it in texting. Many people might not necessarily like the usage of an abbreviation because it can sometimes be upsetting to see the manipulation in English. This is exactly why many teenagers or millennials are being blamed for “degrading” English because the language we use to text is not in the standard English form. As shown in figure 2 above, the word “before” is being shortened to “b4” in texting. The teacher in the image, representing some of the audience, thinks that using b4 is almost making you sound like you are writing/texting in another language. The meme is very humorous but at the same time, very thought-provoking. It is reasonable to say in academic writing students should eliminate the usage of texting language, yet, I think using b4 in a non-professional situation is perfectly fine. It is a way for teenagers or everyone to text faster and communicates more efficient to catch up with the current hype. Imagine someone texting in standard English with no slang or abbreviations. Texting in such a way would be unlikely for a teenager to do, even so, it would take longer to deliver the message. Besides, Thompson might not be able to understand how “I hate you lol” takes away seriousness in texting in comparison to “I hate you.” I did not want to discriminate “standard” English but to show that using slang and abbreviations in texting is more lenient for some people. In the hope of preventing the worsening in segregation and judgments on language differences, I wish knowing that English variation is intrinsic to all spoken language at every level can help readers to understand the basics of English. It is depending on the communication effectiveness and not the actual “rule” of the language.

In essence, using our variety of English is a way of reforming the educational system, telling the system that we are one nation with language freedoms. Lippi-Green believes if we truly understand that, eventually, the English language system will assimilate the myth and mindset that standard English is not the language everyone should speak as of their primary language. Furthermore, the meme demonstrated the discrimination on slang, which can put teenagers on the spot. Teenagers would start to doubt their way of expressing themselves because some have been told their whole life: “don’t say that, it’s not proper.” The teenagers who persist to stand up for their language rights are segregated from standard English speakers because they do not speak “properly.” The language discriminator like Thompson do not realize if teenagers stop using slang or dialects from their home tongue, it is when a language disappears, and culture disappears, alongside the sense of community and individuality.

Works Cited Page

“Actress Emma Thompson Attacks Use of Sloppy Language.” BBC News, BBC, 28 Sept. 2010, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-11420737.

“It’s ‘Before’, Not ‘B4’ You Speak English. Not Bingo.” Joke All You Can, http://jokeallucan.blogspot.com/2014/08/its-before-not-b4-you-speak-english-not_17.html.

Lippi-Green, Rosina. English with an Accent: Language, Ideology, and Discrimination in the United States. Routledge, 2012. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=cat06118a&AN=neos.5294124&custid=s3443875.