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The Language Diversity Ambassadors at NC State presented on language diversity and discrimination Monday afternoon in Caldwell Hall as part of the Diversity Education Week at NC State. The event highlighted how language is often an overlooked aspect of diversity.
The presenters talked about how language is constantly changing. They also spoke about how there is no single, correct dialect of the English language, or of any language for that matter. Language and how one uses it is a part of who they are as a person and varies across cultures and individuals.
“When people make arguments like, ‘You should never use literally instead of figuratively,’ they are suggesting that language cannot change over time,” said Jeffrey Reaser, an associate professor of English. “But language does change over time.”
North Carolina has more dialects of English than any other state in the country, according to the presentation.
Attendees learned about the changes in the English language over time and about several common myths about dialect. Some of these myths include that dialects are derivatives of standard English and that there is a single standard dialect of English.
“Every single person speaks a dialect,” Reaser said. “You can’t speak a language without speaking a dialect of that language. And in fact, this distinction between what a language and what a dialect is, is not a linguistic distinction. It’s a social distinction.”
The presentation stressed the importance of understanding the distinction between language and dialect. Often, people will judge others based on their dialect and how it compares to the “standard English” but in reality no one dialect is “correct,” according to Jessica Hatcher, a graduate student studying English.
“I had an experience on campus where I went to get coffee, and I asked for a French vanilla latte, and they asked for my name,” Hatcher said. “And rather than writing my name, they wrote ‘Queen Ashley of Hicksberry.’ And I’m from a rural area, so that hurt a lot.”
The presentation informed and engaged students in attendance, with students openly sharing their own stories of how their dialect affected them, either negatively or positively, here at NC State. Audience members learned more about being aware of the discrimination that can occur, and how such discrimination is often seen as appropriate.
“It is important in everyday interactions, and being an Italian native speaker, being here as a foreigner, I really do feel that it’s important to make the effort in understanding others without judging them first,” said Cecilia Tomasatti, a graduate student studying English.
Students and faculty learned about how their dialect is a part of who they are and not something to be ashamed of. While language discrimination occurs in today’s society, awareness is the first step to combatting it, especially on NC State campus.
“I like the idea of pointing out differences as a way of celebration,” said KellyNoel Waldorf, a graduate student studying English. “That was something I didn’t think of before, even though I’m in linguistics. Not just that were not trying to describe negative comments, or correct grammar, but using it as a form of celebration of diversity and making people feel better about the way they talk rather than to tear them down.”