While the “Language & Social Variation” reading gives us a clear definition of concepts and terms, the article “Can one person’s speech be better than another’s?” presents examples, and especially many questions. After the readings and our discussion in class, how would you explain and/or describe “Standard American English”? Is there a “correct” way of speaking/writing? What does “correct” mean?
After reading the given articles and today’s in-class discussion, I would describe “Standard American English” as a simpler form of British English. British English, from what I’ve seen, tends to incorporate more formal vocabulary in everyday speech. For example, in American English, you use the word “candy” to describe something small and wrapped and is made out of sugar and/or syrup. In British English, you would use the word “sweets.” In American English, we differentiate the two as two different things but in British English, it’s mainly one word. Another example would be from the reading discussed in class today. I think, in American English, you would be less likely to use “Would you mind if I borrowed that cushion for a few moments?” You’d probably either use “Could I have that pillow for a sec?” or “Give me that, would you?” Whereas in British English, you’d probably use the first one. So basically, I would describe “Standard American English” to be a more simpler and shorter form of British English.
I don’t think there is a “correct” way of speaking/writing. I think that however you talk/write is fine. But, there are a few exceptions. By that, I don’t mean that your daily speech is wrong. It’s just you have to change it depending on the situation and who you’re talking to. For example, if you usually talk in a more “slang” manner, that’s alright to use but in say, a professional setting, it’s not. Which brings me to, “What does correct mean?” I don’t think there’s a set definition as to way “correct” is, as long as you’re keeping the situation and person you’re talking to in mind, and you know which speech manner to use. So, once again, there is no “correct” way to speak/write, it’s just a manner of how you speak/write in certain circumstances.
I think that Standard american english is basically what you would hear in a professional environment. I think that is the standard american enlgish, when you’re not using slang or words that are made up. Some people might think that it’s like ” could I have that pillow for a sec?” but its not really that way because many people don’t talk like that. We usually talk in a good manner and using words that are not made up, also speaking in a polite way.
I don’t think that there is a correct way of speaking because no matter what you tell anyone they can speak the way they want, many people speak different ways and pronounce words differently. I think there might be a correct way of writing because you will have to write the right way and be able to type or write with not grammar errors. You can’t write like you’re speaking to your friends.
I think that “standard American English “ is simple and easier for people to communicate/understand , compared to British English. However I don’t think that there’s a “correct” way of speaking. There’s different ways of saying the same phrase but just in a different order. It doesn’t mean that one may be correct and the other wrong, it just depends which one fits better at that exact moment.
If I were to define “Standard American English” in my words, it would be a form of English that is not too polite yet not too brash. It has the perfect, or the perceived social perception of perfection, balance of the two.
When it comes to communication, be it speaking or writing; there is definitely a good way and a bad way to communicate depending on the situation. For example, if you are in a job interview you would not want to speak to them the same way you speak to your friends when you’re hanging out; playing video games. If you were writing a paper for college, you would not use words like “lit” or “lol” (I’m showing my knowledge on modern text speech…it’s not much).
However, although there is a good way and a bad way to communicate; there is no such thing as a correct way to communicate. Communication is in itself subjective. What people understand depends on their environment, their education, and their experiences. What works for some may not work for others and what is completely understandable for one person may be completely alien for another.
This inherently clashes with the definition of correct which means that something is free from error of any kind. To say that one form of communication is more “correct” is, in my opinion, just hubris.
Standard American English to me is that so called perfect English that everyone refers to. By this I would guess that it is the English and the language that we use when we are for instance trying to get a job at an interview. The professional way of speaking.
I most definitely dont think there is a right way of speaking or writing because not everyone comes from the same place, one, and two I’m sure in different places they have their own way of grammer, of speech, and of conversating. The way we speak to our friends isn’t the same way we write and the same way we write isn’t the same way we necessarily speak to our friends or family. Of course when we write we use grammer and we use spell check and we make sure what we write isn’t in slang or just all over the place because for one it will be graded for instance in our case as students.
There is no such thing as a correct way.
Standard American English to me is that so called perfect English that everyone refers to. By this I would guess that it is the English and the language that we use when we are for instance trying to get a job at an interview. The professional way of speaking.
I most definitely dont think there is a right way of speaking or writing because not everyone comes from the same place, one, and two I’m sure in different places they have their own way of grammer, of speech, and of conversating. The way we speak to our friends isn’t the same way we write and the same way we write isn’t the same way we necessarily speak to our friends or family. Of course when we write we use grammer and we use spell check and we make sure what we write isn’t in slang or just all over the place because for one it will be graded for instance in our case as students.
There is no such thing as a correct way.