A Teacher as a Linguist

In recent years, the topic of language along with its importance and influence on society has gained prominence as a separate area of study. Many have joined the ongoing debate whether English should be properly taught and used, or perhaps there is no such a thing as Standard English in today’s day and age. Since language is an extremely efficient medium of interaction and expression, it is enormously important that educators invest ample amount in Linguistic research and study so they can properly educate their students and grant them the tools that can help them achieve their potential. Freeman (2004) explains that teachers study linguistics so when they understand how language works, they can effectively use language to help their students learn. One of the most important areas of Linguistic research done by a teacher in a classroom, would presumable be the discussion of whether one demand a standard of English be used in his/her classroom and how is Standard English defined. Such deliberations would inevitably lead us into the debate of Descriptivism vs. Prescriptivism.

A Prescriptivist, as the term suggests, is one who believes there is a prescribed list of rules that writers and speakers of the language must adhere. The prescriptive approach is “Norm-enforcing” (Camron, D., 2003). A descriptivist, on the other hand, is a linguist who, rather than impose grammar usage rules, observes how patterns of the language naturally emerge.

It is simpler to take a neutral stance and agree that both a Prescriptive and a Descriptive point of view are needed to keep the language moving in the right direction and in the right speed. However, when one takes the time to sincerely gather information it is quite difficult not to lean tow...

... middle of paper ...

...ers of different dialects (Hazen, Kirk, & Fluharty, Elaine, 2001).

References:

Cameron, D. (1995). On verbal hygiene in Verbal Hygiene. New York: Routledge,

Freeman, D.E. & Freeman, Y.S. (2004). Essential linguistics: What you need to know to teach. -Portsmouth, N.H.: Heinemann

Hazen, Kirk, & Fluharty, Elaine (2001). Defining Appalachian English: West Virginia

and beyond. Unpublished manuscript.

Nunberg, (1983).The Atlantic Monthly; December 1983; The Decline of Grammar; Volume 252

Trudgill, P. and Cheshire, J. (1989) Dialect and education in the United Kingdom. In J. Cheshire, V. Edwards, H. Münstermann & B. Weltens (eds.), Dialect and education: some European perspectives. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialect

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues