How We Communicate
Language is an integral part of every person, it shows others who they are and where they come from. It marks historical events, revolutions, and progress. It’s the one thing that allows people to communicate, share their thoughts and feelings. When people take language from one another it affects everything around them. For example, when slavery became a worldwide accepted practice Europeans took language from their slaves. Having been forced to speak a language that was not their own, they ended up creating the different dialects we hear today. Today’s problem with language arises when people judge too quickly. When standards are set based on prejudice and hatred. Language is precious and every form of it should be accepted. No one should feel judged or belittled because they don’t “sound normal”. It’s our social responsibility to address this disparity in Language, and it’s this responsibility that many are addressing through various forms of literature.
One such example of this idea is the poem: Three Ways to Speak English by professor and writer Jamila Lysicott. In her poem, she talks about the three dialects of English that she speaks and with whom she uses them. Lysicott states that having to use a specific dialect with different people is wrong and that she should be able to use any dialect without feeling judged. She takes a powerfully persuasive and argumentative stance on the topic, forcing her viewers to face their prejudice through her personal stories all told in a single poem.
First, to address disparity in language it is essential to know the definition of “normal language”. Jamila Lysicott starts by introducing the idea of “normal language” and its connection to the injustice of disparity in language. She asks, “But who controls articulation? Because the English language is a multifaceted oration, Subject to indefinite transformation” (1:21). Lysicott uses logic to open the conversation, pointing out the subjectiveness of what is deemed “normal” in the English language. She then asks, “So I may not always come before you with excellency of speech But do not judge me by my language and assume That I’m too ignorant to teach” (2:22). Here she is directly calling out her audience, saying that everyone judges how others speak, and uses the previous line to show that there is no justification for it. Lysicott is telling her audience to take a long and hard look at the justification for the disparity in language and pushes them to realize that this justification is invalid.
Next, understanding why people speak differently can give a new less judgemental perspective, and allow someone to take the first steps of action against language disparity. Jamilia Lysicott brings up the reasons she speaks differently from what is considered “normal”. She tells us, “I know that I had to borrow your language because mines was stolen, But you can’t expect me to speak your history wholly while mines is broken”(2:51). Here she is presenting context as evidence in a way that will reach her audience. She picks an example that most people know about, referencing slavery and the fight for civil rights which are taught in most schools. Furthermore, she states, “I speak broken English so the profusing gashes can remind us That our current state is not a mystery”(3:17). This takes the context and actualizes it for her audience. She shows the audience that there is a valid reason that she speaks the way she does. The poem here shows why taking steps to combat disparity in language is so important, and helps people realize why it even exists in the first place.
Finally, with all of this context and evidence, the conclusion that it’s our social responsibility to address the disparity in language becomes apparent. Lysicott ends her poem with a powerful statement. “How can you expect me to treat their imprint on your language As anything less than equal”(3:45). She tells the audience that the way she speaks does not mean she is less intelligent or worthy of respect than anyone who speaks “normally”. She shows us that she should be able to talk in whatever way she feels most comfortable without fear of judgment and that it’s our responsibility to ensure this is true.
In conclusion, the importance of language in our society can not be forgotten, and our responsibility to treat every version of it with respect and without judgment is seen throughout various forms of literature. Professor and writer Jamila Lysicott’s Three Ways to Speak English is only one example of the topic of disparity in language appearing in literature. She shows how we as a society need to focus on judging people less, and show compassion, and understanding to everyone no matter how they speak.
