Siding with Zorn

Last week, we focused on readings about the SRTOL, which allowed students to have their right to write in their own language and native tongue. I personally agree and disagree with SRTOL because I think that the language and environment where "professional" english is used should remain a very 'high' standard of english where everyone is at the same level and understanding of 'business' english compared to slang and normal day-to-day english. I think if I were to have to pick a side, I'd choose Zorn because the point of coming to America, for example, is to learn how to speak fluently and communicate "properly" with the rest of the population. Letting students speak in their native tongue is nice because they get to combine both their home language and new language together but if they want to be taken seriously in the future, it's better they learn under the 'standard' english form. Most generations born here will probably have a better chance at success due to their english speaking skills acquired here than of someone who immigrates here.

 When I was reading Ashanti's input about the SRTOL, I couldn't take him too seriously because it was too slang for me. I admit that it's cool to see someone speak so seriously in their everyday language but there's also a point where the line between professionalism and casual meet. I think Zorn's arguments were very strong because at first, I was pro-srtol because I thought it'd be more fair if students were able to learn and talk using their comfortable span of words. Zorn made me realize that by letting them stay so restricted in their language, they will never properly learn and will never be at the same level of english as the dominant, or the white population.

Zorn also makes an argument that we are purposely restricting them to their own language and their english will never improve because it will be improper because of their combination of native tongue and new english. Ashanti makes a point that we are forcing these students into a new world, and that everything from their culture is erased when we force them into this new discourse of speaking. I do not agree because there are different levels of english. If we allowed students to start writing in their natural everyday voice, the english language would become a joke. Nothing would be taken seriously, and there'd be no such thing as proper or professional english.

When Caitlin assigned us a free write to write in our own voice, I personally had no problem writing in my speaking voice. I speak very slang, and casual and somehow I was able to portray all my attitude and sass and weak english vocabulary to paper. I couldn't see how it was difficult because I was basically talking to myself. I think I may just be used to writing in my voice because I've kept several journals/diaries when I was younger and the amount of cuss words, improper english, slang..etc in those pages are ridiculous..