AIBU?
AIBU / When is it dialect and when is it just wrong?
ecuse · 16/06/2017 22:05
We live in East London/Essex border. I'm not from here originally. My little girl (6) has an East London accent. I expect this, this is where she is from, it's fine, in fact it suits her.
But she's all with the "you woz", "we woz", "wozzn't you, mummy?". I understand she picks this up from her whole peer group. BUT. When I go into school for reading morning etc etc I realise all 4 of the teachers she has had so far say "you woz" etc.
AIBU to think that teachers should not do this? They are teaching her literacy and that's just gramatically incorrect.
I don't think I'd ever have the bottle to bring it up but AIBU to be vexed, or am I just being all Hyacinth Bucket about it? Is it legitimate dialect or is it just wrong?
Foxyloxy1plus1 · 16/06/2017 22:09
I don't think the example you gave is legitimate dialect, but then I'm a grammar pedant and think that we should speak properly. I imagine I'm in a minority.
I think that dialects are fine, but incorrect use of language is just incorrect, especially if you're expecting to be training and educating children.w
Teachervoice · 16/06/2017 22:11
I teach English in the same area in which you live. Totally not appropriate for teachers to not use standard English when speaking to students! In fact, it's one of our 'teaching standards' which we have to maintain.
I can't bear the thought of my own children growing up with these habits plus the whole 'I wrote...' thing but I guess it's a very real risk if we stay in this area!
OhUnpretentiousSpud · 16/06/2017 22:16
I understand what you mean. Round here instead of 'Aren't you?' we have 'Int yarr?'.
It's hard to complain about without sounding snobby, but I think teachers especially need to try and teach more typically standard English, in terms of grammar. It just confuses children who try and write 'Wasn't you?' in exercise books and then get told it's wrong.
Like it or not I probably wouldn't pass my English GCSE if I wrote down colloquial stuff like that. I'm all for celebrating dialects but I still think kids need to be made familiar with standard English from teachers and professionals, rightly or wrongly it will make their future lives easier. :(
Seren85 · 16/06/2017 22:16
I agree with PP that it is more about when it is appropriate. I have NW/Lancashire accent and sometimes say things likes cosses (costs) had t'go't'shop. I wouldn't speak like that professionally or expect a teacher to speak like that to children, particularly when they're learning to read. It is difficult though when that is your natural dialect.
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