“Rapping, Reading and Role-Playing”

by Keith Gilyard

A’Kena LongBenton, MA, PMCEDP 9310

9.8.11

Early Language • Black English* A.K.A.• Black English Vernacular or Ebonics• Oakland, CA—1990’s national story*

• Legitimate Linguistic System• Research Dating Back 3 Decades

– Smitherman (1977)– Dillard (1973)– Haskins & Burts (1973)

Smitherman’s Definition

• “Black Dialect is an Africanized form of English reflecting Black America’s linguistic-cultural heritage and the conditions of servitude, oppression and life in America” (1977).

• Layman’s term—Black English dates all the way back to slavery and reflects its effects

Black English Example

• Incorrect Use of “To Be” Verb and Word Ending Omissions

• Example— “What is they doin Sherry?”

Question:• Do you notice the improper verb conjugation

and word ending omission?

Zero Copula Rule “To Be” Verb Omission

Examples:– “Oh you so stupid Keith.”– “Then why you laughin?”– “It gon be more fun too.”

Question:Which helping verb is missing in the above

sentences ?

Multiple Negations

Example:– “Ain’t no teacher can keep no class late like that.”

Questions:Can you determine the three negations?How could the sentence be improved?

Two Languages Definition

• Bidialectical = Biloquialism = to speak two different languages, e.g., Black English and Standard English

Code-switching Definition

“Ability to move back and forth among languages, dialects, and registers with ease, as demanded by the social situation.”

Elgin (1979)

Another Definition

• “A strategy by which the skilled speaker uses his knowledge of how language choices are interpreted in his community to structure the interaction so as to maximize outcomes favorable to himself.”

• Penalosa (1981)

Code-switching Made Easy

• Layman’s Terms—speaking appropriately to fit within a given social situation

• Key Concepts—social awareness and skill set

Who’s more likely to use code-switching?

Younger or older adolescents?

Older adolescents

Younger are capable and understand it, but have little desire to participate

Older adolescents are more aware of “the social sensitivities associated with different kinds of languages and dialects” (Smitherman 1977).

The Reading Process

Smith (1979)Predictions• Not new and does not have to be learned• Our natural way of making sense of the world

“Making Sense” • Most Important Factor of Reading • Primary Reason We Read

Types of Readers

• Efficient Readers—do not decode words to sound

• Skilled Readers—can read faster than they speak

• Fluent Readers—requires the least graphics

• “Meaningful language is transparent; we look through words for the meaning beyond” (Smith 1979).

Varying Views of the Reading Process

• McCracken & Walcutt (1963) and Spache ( 1964) • View reading as a linear, cumulative process

• Goodman (1967) views reading as a selective leap toward meaning

begin reading meaning

The Not-So Great Debate

Phonics • Rudolf Flesch (1955)• Code approach to reading • 180 Spelling-to-Sound Rules• Primary way many of us

learned to read in school

• Smith (1980)• Global—reading for meaning• Print is meaningful• Print differs from speech • Exposure to a variety of

interesting and complex text• Reading will become natural

like oral language

Whole Language

Phonics Don’t Always WorkDifferent Initial “ho” Sound

• hot• hope• hook • hoot • house• hoist

• horse• horizon• honey• hour• honest

Moving BeyondWhole Language & Phonics

• Reading is developed when more reading strategies are utilized.

• Cannot be “tied” to solely whole language or phonics

Literature’s Impact on Reading

• When the imagination is not utilized reading is likened to “learning to walk with one leg” (Holdaway 1979).

• Stories & poems—spur our curiosity• Curious George text—adventurous encounters• Literature enlightens our lives

Interesting Literature Quotes

• “Life will never be a substitute for literature, it’s not long enough” (Rouse 1978).

• “A common adage says, ‘Knowledge is power.’ Although this statement cannot be truer, the imagination is even more powerful” (Long 2003).

Literature’s Impact cont.

• There is an art in listening to someone read to you

• Differs from listening to someone talk to you

• Positive impact on reading skills especially reading to children before birth

Early Exposure Leads to Awareness

• Early exposure to vocabulary

• Awareness of prediction, context clues, and plot

• Become aware of conventions, e.g., left to right, top to bottom, left page first…

Family’s Impact on Reading

• Competitive with older sister to show mom reading skills

• If the family regards reading skills as a cherished possession, then the social value of reading is increased.

• Homes should be enabling not disabling.• Consistency is the key to communicative

development.

Impression Management

• Role-playing = adapting to the situations

• Learn cues from others (White, middle-class, Jewish)

• Utilize those cues (grammar and nonverbal) to guide others’ impression of self

Microscope Rap Lyricist: A’Kena Long (1988)

Eyepiece Course adjustments

Fine adjustments

Rapping in Science Class

Microscope LyricsWith a microscope you can see things not seen

with the human eyeThe eyepiece on the microscope will let you find

out whyUsing the fine and course adjustments will

better you to seeBecause in the laboratory is the only place it be

Chorus

Go micro Get busyGet busy microscope

(Repeat)

Discussion Questions

1. Why are there opposing views to Black English?2. Is code-switching only prevalent in the Black

community?3. What are the benefits of code-switching?4. Do you support whole language theory?5. What are the disadvantages of phonics?6. What would be the effects if our community

focused on healthy academic competition?