English Standards: Whose Standards?

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Upon reading this passage by Linda M. Christensen, it honestly made me think about how I talk and how I perceive English to really be. I am from the south, more precisely Asheville, NC where people talk in slang. They exchange certain words for others, because that is just how we were raised. In other words, I believe there is technically no correct way of pronunciation a word. I mean there is definitely a proper way of saying things, but it is never a definite "yes or no" to one’s way of saying something, if and only if its used in the right way.

I found it very interesting that the writer was to include that grammar was an indication of class and culture within one’s backgrounds. This is very true in some sense because yes, I have had to change the way I talk and act in front of some people because it was just more professional. So in some sense there is a right way of talking, but it can still never truly be defined.

"English teachers must know when to correct and how to correct--

and I use that word uneasily"

- Christensen

It makes complete and utter sense. Teachers must know when and when not to a correct a student, because I know for one, as a student would not want to take as many risks because of the thought of failing or getting things wrong. Just as Fred did in her example within in the passage.

What rules are classified in writing? Does it involve the use of grammar, pronunciation, style, or motive? Am I smarter if I know these rules or am I of the same caliber as someone who is standard? I guess that is just of the "working class". In a way I disagree with the author, because I believe the social system of language is diverse and just as important in one way as it is in another.