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Linguistics is a different field from math entirely. The comparison doesn't hold.
In linguistics, there is such thing as a slip of the tongue (and even a slip of the hand in signed languages). That's a mispronunciation.
If someone regularly pronounces something differently, then it's not a mispronunciation--it's a dialect variation. For example if someone always says "ide-er" for "idea" then they aren't mispronouncing it, that is just the way they say it in their dialect. If someone always says "y'all" for "you all," that's also a dialect variation and not a mispronunciation because they say it that way pretty much every time, and consciously, intentionally make the sounds to produce that word.
A mispronunciation (or slip of the tongue) is when someone unintentionally and unconsciously pronounces something differently, that falls out of pattern with the predicted pronunciation for the dialect they are speaking, that happens once or only as often as we might accidentally say "battering avage" instead of "batting average".
Then what is the point of kids learning English in school?
If language allows for any word to be mispronounced - oops, I mean "willfully spoken in an alternative but equally legitimate manner" - then why are we wasting these kids time?
Let's just show them a word and tell them, "go ahead and make up your own pronunciation".
Just because a white person with a Southern accent is mispronouncing words and phrases like "you all" doesn't make it right either.
Perhaps we can start a thread about "white ebonics". Then all of the white people can feel victimized about that criticism too.
It's not a phonological error...it's ignorant and they get it from their friends b/c they think it's cool.
Code switching...when I sit and listen to a black person speak for any length of time and he is speaking proper English, then I hear "ax" come out, that is not a code switching problem, nor is it a phonological error. It's ignorance. Anyone with even a high school education should know how to pronounce "ask." It's three letters, one syllable. Seriously.
I'm soooo sick of every time there is something negative pointed out about the black population, everyone who agrees or understands is automatically anti-black, racist, bigoted, etc.
So when I sit and listen to a White person (college educated) speak for a period of time and they say "lye-berry" instead of "library" and "y'all" is that also "ignorance"?
It has absolutely nothing to do with the color of one's skin, dialects, laziness, or whether they were born in the US or not. This is a matter of diction and enunciation. Just as with writing, everyone needs to be taught how to properly pronounce or enunciate words, in any language. Unfortunately, public schools in the US no longer teach diction.
It has absolutely nothing to do with the color of one's skin, dialects, laziness, or whether they were born in the US or not. This is a matter of diction and enunciation. Just as with writing, everyone needs to be taught how to properly pronounce or enunciate words, in any language. Unfortunately, public schools in the US no longer teach diction.
Not only that but Black children saying /aks/ versus /ask/ is "officially" seen as acceptable dialect of AAVE (African American Vernacular English) so it is not corrected. I personally think that this stance by ASHA is incorrect and that these types of errors should be re-classified and targeted for correction.
A Black child who says "dis" insted of "this" may not have this error targeted for correction because it is deemed "acceptable" dialect under ASHA. This places these children at a disadvantage.
Then what is the point of kids learning English in school?
If language allows for any word to be mispronounced - oops, I mean "willfully spoken in an alternative but equally legitimate manner" - then why are we wasting these kids time?
Let's just show them a word and tell them, "go ahead and make up your own pronunciation".
Just because a white person with a Southern accent is mispronouncing words and phrases like "you all" doesn't make it right either.
Perhaps we can start a thread about "white ebonics". Then all of the white people can feel victimized about that criticism too.
Because some equally legitimate ways are socially stigmatized, and because we live in a socially defined world, it is important to be aware of social stigma. Saying "y'all" is linguistically as legitimate as saying "you all" or "you guys" but it's socially stigmatized in a lot of circles. So it's important to learn the standard "you all" to use in situations where you may be judged as less intelligent or less educated for saying "y'all." But at the same time, it's important to remember it's a matter of social stigma and not absolute right and wrong. There is no such thing as "right" and "wrong" from a scientific, linguistic point of view. "Right" and "wrong" are socially determined--where "right" is what is socially acceptable and "wrong" is what is socially stigmatized.
To make an analogy, saying "f.ck" isn't bad grammar but it sure will make a lot of heads turn. Is "f.ck" incorrect usage of the English language? No. Is it unwise usage in many social contexts? Yes. That's the difference.
So when I sit and listen to a White person (college educated) speak for a period of time and they say "lye-berry" instead of "library" and "y'all" is that also "ignorance"?
Why the double standard?
The double standard is in your mind, and your mind alone. "Lye-berry" is ignorant. I still maintain my position that "y'all" is not. "Y'all" is also NOT exclusively a white term. Wanna reconsider your position now?
It has absolutely nothing to do with the color of one's skin, dialects, laziness, or whether they were born in the US or not. This is a matter of diction and enunciation. Just as with writing, everyone needs to be taught how to properly pronounce or enunciate words, in any language. Unfortunately, public schools in the US no longer teach diction.
Thats right! among friends people can speak however they choose but in certain settings proper english/pronunciation is warranted! Like in job searches!
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