Linguistic justice Text Set by Shania Beckford

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-12 02:16:26 UTC

In this text set, the speaker talks about code-switching as more than just making linguistic changes. She acknowledges it as a change in things like the way you dress and your mannerisms as a way to survive a new environment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of code-switching as long as you don't change your morals, beliefs, or any part of who you are.

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-12 02:39:12 UTC

The speakers of this text set discuss experiences they've had in school where they felt as if they had to erase a part of their identity. From his, they transition into code-switching and identity what it is and why it could be useful. However, they ALSO address the dangers of it and how it can become extreme.

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 00:26:33 UTC

The speaker delivers her message by meshing several different languages. In this delivery she discusses code-switching but recognizes it as being bilingual. She addresses the broken history behind Black English and celebrates linguistic diversity!

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 00:30:50 UTC

2pac raps his lyrics in Black English. He uses words like “beef” and “slanging” and other words that are considered slang but are apart of the language, especially during the 90s.

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 00:33:58 UTC

This poem uses Spanish and English (or Spanglish) to tell a story about language. This poem is a great example of how code-meshing looks and how it can be used to enhance writing.

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 00:37:03 UTC

This Langston Hughe's poem can be used when analyzing the history of Black English. Words and phrases like " I'se" and "Kinder harder" are used which can encourage readers to read the history of Black English and what it sounded like in the earlier days.

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 00:40:17 UTC

This poem incorporates the usage of Black English to embrace and embody black identity and culture. A great representation of the intersectionality between race/ ethnicity and language.

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 00:50:14 UTC

Nate Marshall's delivery of his poem "Look" is a powerful example of the rhythm that Black English speakers talk about. This video can be shown during a poetry unit or in a poetry in class to encourage students to feel the rhythm of their poetry and use their authentic voice, because that is what makes it even better!

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 00:52:38 UTC

This article explains what code-meshing is and how it is different from code-switching. This article can start helping students understand that Mainstream American English is not the standard and that they have been wired to believe them. This is a tool that can help them dismantle the system!

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 01:03:41 UTC

This article briefly discusses the history of LGBTQ+ linguistics and why this language was created. Although it doesn't directly discuss code-meshing or code-switching, this gives students the opportunity to see language as just a race thing, it intersects with sexuality as well.

Description of Text Set:

shaniabeckford2 — 2023-12-13 01:34:57 UTC

The text sets above will allow students to build an understanding of what code-switching is, how to do it, why it’s done, and how it can be detrimental to one’s identity. Although many students will already understand what code-switching is and recognize that it’s something that they do, these text sets will help them put a word to this change in language,tone, behavior , and dressing and allow them to reflect on why they do this and why people feel it is necessary for survival. Once they explore the articles and videos defining what code-switching is, they can watch the pieces of the text set that include the experiences of people of color who are sharing their stories where they realized code-switching was necessary in order to survive or adapt in a certain space. This will encourage students of color to reflect on their own negative experiences with code-switching and failures or successes they’ve had with adapting to environments where their culture or identity was not embraced or appreciated. The videos addressing code-switching were intentionally selected to help the students recognize that the centering of white language and white culture has led to anti-black curriculum that discourages students of color from incorporating their culture and identity in their work. Code-switching is seen as a good thing, when really it is supporting the idea that certain parts of who you are are only acceptable in certain environments.

There is an article in the text set that specifically addresses the difference between code-switching and code-meshing. This was included not to shame students for code-switching, but to help them understand that they don’t have to turn off the language part of their culture and identity in their English class. They can include it in their writing to enhance it and establish their voice in their writing. The music videos and poems in this text set were added to demonstrate the beautiful product of code-meshing multiple languages and how they can mesh multiple languages in a way that can enhance their writing and speaking in any setting.

The overall goal of this text set is to allow students to recognize how language is a part of their identity that is silenced in the English due to the ideas of code-switching and that there is a “right” and “wrong” way to talk. All languages are beautiful and have a history behind it. Educators should be encouraging students to incorporate different languages in their writing to enhance it.