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Should educators force their students to adhere to Standard American English?

I do not feel that educators should force their students to adhere to Standard American English (SAE) because technically, no one knows precisely the exact dialect of Standard American English. Strange, I thought.  However, as our textbook states in chapter 7 of An Introduction to Language, states, “SAE is not defined precisely (like most dialects none of which are easy to clarify” (Fromkin, Rodman, Hyams, 2014).  The text goes on, thoroughly to explain that because SAE could not be accurately defined as a dialect, it was/is, still, the prescribed standard for teachers or linguists to teach all wanting to learn the prestigious Standard English Language.

No one should force anyone to adhere to SAE strictly if their family, friends, and associates are speaking a different English dialect.  Additionally, the person should know when they are within a position - that calls for proper prestigious Standard English.  Since the so-called prestige dialect of SAE is supposed to be the actual standard dialect, a particular person running for office, addressing a courtroom,  or assuming a high ranking office should be able to turn their various dialects on and off to suit the required etiquette of the the situation according to the semantics of the lexicon of the position; at least that is how I’ve seen it done as long as I have been on planet earth.

I read an interesting article year back, 2018, by a journalist who wrote an article concerning points of view of Americans and the SAE vs. Various dialects and was shocked to read some other things that were stated, for example, “for years, many academics have questioned the importance — even the justice — of requiring college students to master standard English. The discussion 20 or 30 years ago was about a student’s right to his or her language — the implication being that the rest of us have no right to impose “our” language on those who are not native or proficient speakers. More recently, we’ve heard claims that the English language is itself discriminatory, even racist. I understand the reasoning and sympathize to a degree — but ultimately reject those arguments. My experience as a college writing instructor for 32 years, and as a writer, editor, and consultant for nearly 20 years, suggests that one of the best things we can do for students is to help them master standard English.” (Jenkins, 2008) Strange, I again thought, hum.

 

Works Cited:

Frocking, V., Rodman, R., Hyams, Nina, (2016) An Introduction To Language 10th  

      Ed, Boston, MA, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

 

Jenkins, Rob. (2019). “We Must Help Students Master Standard English!” The    

      Chronicle of Higher Education.  Retrieved:

      https://www.chronicle.com/article/We-Must-Help-Students-Master/243079