Prompt: First read “The Ebonics Controversy” by Curzan and Adams, then write a three to four paragraph response that addresses the following questions:
The article makes clear that as educators, you will be faced with two seemingly contradictory truths. First, scientific linguistic research clearly and unambiguously demonstrates that so-called “non-standard” American English varieties, such as African-American English, Chicano English, and Appalachian English, are every bit as rule-governed, consistent, and logical as Standard American English. Second, however, it is also undeniable that American society as a whole values Standard American English more highly than the other varieties; thus, being able to function in this variety is necessary for success in American academic and workplace settings. As an educator, how will you deal with students who come to your classroom speaking a variety other than Standard American English? What approach(es) will you take to help students become adept at Standard American English without stigmatizing their native variety?
When answering this prompt, be sure to reference the reading assignment.