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jen


Kate Spade

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Help with English project...
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So I'm writing a paper based on the work of Baron-basically, the guy said that Americans, even the most liberal, still have biases and look down upon people who use bad grammar. Like, we accept all religions, sex, color, etc. but if a person were to say "I ain't got none of them pencils." we would like of them as stupid, low class, etc. Also, he uses the example that some particular secretaries say "them papers" instead of "those papers." But he points out that if they were to change their grammar use, they would not get promoted, get paid more etc. so what's the point?


Anywho.....I need more research so how to I search for this? I typed in 'formal English' 'standard English.' and nothing that I need comes up. Any ideas? TIA



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Maddie


Coach

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Two questions. So what is your paper about? Are you discussing whether or not people should change their grammar? Whether or not he's right? What information are you specifically looking for? That would help to know what to search for.

Also, what are you using to search? I just typed both "standard English" and "proper English" into JSTOR and came up with some stuff that looked promising, but I didn't really look into it.

I guess the other alternative that I would search would be "Baron criticism" or something.

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asf


Kate Spade

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maybe search for grammar perceptions? 

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Maddie


Coach

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Wanted to add...this might be an interesting oppurtunity to talk about race and ebonics, etc.

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poptart


Coach

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Jen,


This library page (from my FABULOUS alma mater's library, where I once worked ) has a variety of suggestions for research search terms for this topic. I found this by typing "language bias standard nonstandard" into google; I think those terms are some of your best bets.


http://lib.colostate.edu/research/english/langstan.html


HTH!



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halleybird


Hermes

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I don't really have much to add, but what a cool project!

It might also be worth spending some time with the OED and finding some nonstandard words/phrases that are considered common use now. It may also be important to note that English (the language of most Americans) was initially considered the language of peasants, and spoken only informally by members of the European nobility until the second half of the second millenium.

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jen


Kate Spade

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Thank you all SO much for your help! I also found pbs.com to have and entire section devoted to this subject. Thanks again!

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