In this episode of “Let’s Talk”, Cassandra, Gianna, Laveena, Danielle, and Givana join Emily to discuss standard language. The episode talks about the damaging effects of standard language and it’s harmful history among youth. This episode encourages the listener to fight the standard language and explains why this is important.

Emily: Hello and welcome to our podcast “Let's Talk”! I’m your host Emily and here I am with Cassandra, Gianna, Laveena, Danielle, and Givana. Today we are going to talk about the various perspectives on having a “standard” language placed within society and the world.

Laveena: Having a standard language can hinder the way people may want to talk since there’s a certain stereotype that everyone must speak English the right way. When there’s a perception like that it may create biases surrounding the use of language which may make people uncomfortable to express themselves.

Givana: I totally agree with your perspective! I believe that it is crucial for people to feel comfortable and confident speaking with others regardless of the languages that they use to communicate with others.

Emily: When it comes to having a “standard” language what are some ways in which we can fight this stereotype?

Laveena: In order to fight this stereotype we should emphasize the fact that people should use multiple languages and not only the “standard” language when talking and expressing themselves

Givana: Another way we could fight this stereotype is by acknowledging other languages and the different aspects of other cultures, this way all individuals feel valued and don’t feel like they are speaking the language wrong.

Emily: With some more information about this, here’s Cassandra and Gianna!

Cassandra: Thanks, Emily. So, did you know that the standard around the world is considered to be proper English and that about ⅓ of the world’s population, which is about 2 billion people, speaks English?

Gianna: Wow, I didn’t know that! What I do recall is that many people of different backgrounds feel they have to “speak white” in order to get a job or better opportunities, making them feel like their background and way of languaging is secondary.

Cassandra: Some people are even forced to stop speaking their first language, and instead, speak English. Over time, this makes many people feel disconnected from their cultures when they are forced to only speak English as a child and then try to relearn their traditional language as adults.

Gianna: But did you know this can be solved by shifting to a translanguaging perspective?

Cassandra: Wow Gianna, what’s that?

Gianna: Well, translanguaging is when a person who speaks more than one language uses two languages in one sentence in order to communicate to others.

Cassandra: So how can this help?

Gianna: If we shift to a translanguaging perspective, then we can give everyone more of a chance to be themselves and speak however they feel comfortable, rather than quieting them by enforcing this strict standard language. This would also help us learn more about and from one another regarding culture, languages, and more!

Emily: Thanks for your insight on that, Cassandra and Gianna! Now is there anyone who can call attention to some real-life examples of why this is important?

Daniella: I can! There is actually a lot of research about how languaging practices like slang are actually important parts of language, when normally slang might be deemed “improper”. For example, an article from Cherwell discusses how slang, which is considered to be any way of speaking outside of the standard English languaging practice, is actually very important since we use it everyday. By including slang in practices such as teaching, it can actually lead to more effective communication. Our language is constantly evolving and so we cannot be confined to this standard anymore. We have to encourage each other to speak how we are most comfortable, and if that is going to be done by using the slang of our different languages, then so be it!

Givana: I never knew slang was now becoming an accepted use of languaging! I also saw an article about how different dialects actually support racial stereotypes. For example, an article by BBC writer Christine Ro discusses how there is accent discrimination in our world due to not everyone speaking English in the exact same way. People who have accents tend to be treated differently and are disrespected since we are not embracing the diversity that comes with language as it evolves. Instead, institutions continue to conform to the standard “proper” English, and so those who communicate with others without using the standard are judged and even penalized for it. However, if we just open up and have conversations about issues like linguistic discrimination, then we can better communicate with each other overall and create a more inclusive and diverse world.

Daniella: Wow, that's really interesting! I actually listened to a podcast recently that talks about a similar idea. In the podcast “The Vocal Fries Pod”, they mention how there is a lack of linguistic diversity in our world, especially in the United States. From there, they discuss how institutions like Hollywood should incorporate more accents into their forms of media other than just European and American in order to show kids and adults alike that their accents are normal and that it is okay to express your diversity. They also mention how we have to create a world for kids where there is more diversity and where we are not passing on our prejudices about language to them. If we teach kids about linguistic racism and that it is okay that others are different, then they can help us create a more inclusive future for all people where diversity can be celebrated rather than destroyed.

Cassandra: I’ve actually seen the standard language being enforced firsthand during my time in middle school. I went to a school that was mainly made up of black and Hispanic students, but with white teachers. In the classroom, I would see my friends answer questions and get answers right, but they would still get in trouble for how they were speaking. Even at that young age I always thought that it wasn't fair that they were getting in trouble just for not speaking in a “proper” way when the answer was correct all the same and they were easily understood. I think it is situations like these in our schools that need special attention, since kids who are chastised for how they speak and are forced to confine to the standard language will carry that feeling of not feeling comfortable enough to speak into adulthood. They will become shy and reserved when they should communicate however they feel comfortable, especially as children.

Emily: Speaking of seeing these practices in our daily lives, how do you all think you might fight the standard in the future when you have jobs after college? For me, I think I might encourage others to use their native language and not just focus on English. After college I am pursuing a career in teaching chemistry in highschools and I know I will be exposed to a lot of bilingual and multilingual speakers. I will encourage all of my students to communicate in a way that they are most comfortable with. I will not establish a set language in my classroom, and when students are taking notes or doing their own personal assignments I will push them to be able to use what they feel will get them to learn the material the best!

Laveena: Fighting the standard is going to be something I will always stand up for because when it comes to speaking certain languages individuals shouldn’t be judged for the way they speak. Many people who are bilingual like to incorporate their native language as well as English when speaking, and following the standard English, this might be viewed as an incorrect way of speaking. However, in reality, this is a great way to express one’s culture and language they speak.

Givana: As someone who has grown up speaking the standard version of English, it’s very important that I fight the standard by learning about other dialects and not looking down on people who speak different than me. English is a diverse and culturally broad language. It's vital that those who speak the standard do not see it as the “right” way to speak, and are open to learning more about how others communicate.

Cassandra: Being that I am pursuing a career as a high school history teacher, I am going to ensure that I place a central focus on creating a classroom environment that makes every student feel comfortable and safe to speak. I will not chastise them if they do not speak “proper English”, and I will encourage them to answer any question or participate however they are most comfortable. For example, if they want to utilize translanguaging strategies and speak in both English and another language, I will allow it and in fact encourage it in order to make a good classroom environment. I also hope to incorporate class activities where the students can let their translanguaging shine rather than trying to force them to present or write in only standard “proper” English.

Gianna: As I enter the nursing profession, I also will be fighting the “standard” language in my daily practice. In nursing, translanguaging is important because it allows nurses to provide effective care to patients who have limited proficiency in the language of the healthcare provider. When nurses use translanguaging, they can communicate more effectively with patients who speak a different language. This helps to ensure that patients understand their health conditions, treatment options, and care instructions. Miscommunication in healthcare can lead to errors and adverse events. Translanguaging can help to prevent these errors and improve patient safety by ensuring that patients and nurses are on the same page. Therefore, patients may feel more comfortable and at ease, which can improve their overall satisfaction with the care they receive. Translanguaging promotes cultural humility, which is the practice of recognizing and respecting the cultural differences of others. By using multiple languages, nurses can show that they value and respect the diversity of their patients.

Daniella: I totally agree with your perspective on translanguaging! I also believe that it is crucial to implement this form of communication within our daily practices for effective communication and understanding between patients and nurses.

Emily: To close, I would just like to say that our goal is to make all of you aware that this standard language is out there and it is hurting those who might not speak English as a first language, those who have an accent, or anyone else that does not speak full “proper” English.

Laveena: We want to show you that any way you language is the correct way, and we should do everything we can to fight this idea of the standard in order to make the world a better and more inclusive place.

Givana: Yeah! And everyone should feel pride in their language and their background rather than feeling put down by what society calls the standard. No language or form of languaging is “bad” and no one should feel ashamed about how they language and communicate with others.

Emily: Thank you all for helping me discuss the standard language and how we can fight it. And a big thank you to the audience for listening to us spread this message. Until next time!