Nearly all languages have
different varieties and dialects. The standard variety of a language is that it
is supported and encouraged by the local authorities or social institutions
such as schools and the media. The usual or typical forms of the language are
more impressive than the non-standard types and are perceived as the correct
form by the speakers of that language. Because this particular variety of any
language is presumed to be correct because they are more valued and used within
the society and speakers of the language. According to linguist Harold Fasold
“The standard used language may not be the best collection of features
available, but it is accepted because of the social overall use of the language
and not because it is superior in any sense to the other varieties and
dialects. In some cases, an official body describes the grammar and usage of a
standard variety.
Which of the language communities you belong to do you
think is most misunderstood?
The Creole community is usually misunderstood because
they don’t speak a real language they just speak broken French. The Creole is
usually misunderstood because they have no standard language like English or
French and what they speak is a corrupt and inferior form of the French
Language. Creole has been called “broken rench” because those responsible for
such assessment are speakers of standard languages. Creoles are people of European
descent who were born in Spanish colonies.
The entire Creole community number
around 1511695 living in different parts of the world. The dialect of the
Creole is a cross between French and English but they do have clear phonetic
and semantic shifts. However, the grammar can be different from the parent
language. Because the Creoles speak broken French they pronounce several words
in a way that people generally do not either understand them or think that they
mean something else. A significant misstep occurred when a Creole woman asking
for directions to a restaurant was directed instead to a hospital. The values
that clashed were that Creole is not an official education language, and there
is difference between French and the Creole Language. Creole is basically all
colloquial while French is a literary. There are several different meanings for
words. For instance there are several words to describe snow in Creole and unless
is familiar with the language will take an entirely different meaning (Frank)
There are several languages spoken
in any college. Although the medium of education is usually English, students
from different communities and countries come to study in colleges. Each
community brings with them their own version of English, their own
pronunciations and their own different use of words. One example would be the
combination of Hindi in English which has formed a new language “Hinglish”. The
pronunciation, spelling and meaning of the same word is different in some
language communities.
The difference between two subjects
such as History and Biology is the different terminology and the different
meaning of some words; however, these disciplines are somewhat similar for writers
are the structural order of both disciplines in their academic forms. I learnt
about a new language community which comprised of Bhutanese Americans. Their
parents had migrated to the United States two generations back, but even this
generation were well aware of the language and heritage and still speak the
language at home and among students with a similar background history. The
difference in their culture and values are quite different from those who are
of European ancestry. Like all people with Asian ancestry, they have a
different way of family life. One specific aspect of this is that they respect
their elderly and keep them with them until the elders die. For them it is
unthinkable to send any of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to old
home just because they are too old to work. Besides this, these students have
different values about relationships even with women. They have and implement
their own set of values that has been handed down to them for several
generations. The lesson learnt here are that despite being American citizens
for the second or even third generation they still adhere to the values and
culture of their country (Hsiaa)
Because these students speak their
own language at home where they are for most of the time, their pronunciation of
the English language is heavily accented and mixed with words and idioms from
their original language. Sometimes they are misunderstood because they have a
different way of speaking. Even in college, their traditions and culture is
reflected in their behavior towards their teachers and fellow students.
Because of their cultural
upbringing, most Bhutanese Americans are soft spoken and polite. They are also
studious and hard working because their parents instill into them the merits
and benefits of hard work. Life was never easy for these people before they
came to America, and they have kept their values of hard work and frugality.
These students are brought up to treat their community as family and try their
best to be helpful in any way that they can. Because of their mild temperament
and their extremely nature, people generally like them. Most Bhutanese students
are Buddhists and strictly vegetarian. They always try to be compatible with
other students and cultures without compromising their own cultural and
religious beliefs. (-Chu)
The Bhutanese American
students are strictly law abiding citizens who appreciate the life that America
has given them. Their way of life and harmony with nature and their
surroundings has made them ideal and law abiding citizens. It is strongly
suggested that more students in colleges follow the examples of these Bhutanese
Americans they will become better students and better law abiding citizens. Students and other people alike can learn
meditations and the way to mental tranquility and peace of mind. Although these
Bhutanese Americans are different, they are similar to American values of life,
liberty and happiness
