In-Depth Notes on Dialects in ESL

Understanding Dialects in English as a Second Language

  • Definition of Dialect

    • A dialect is a variation of a language spoken by a particular group, region, or social community.
    • There are no good or bad dialects; it's simply a neutral label.

  • Types of Dialects

    • Regional Dialects
    • Variations based on geographical area.
    • Distinct phonological systems and semantic features.
    • Examples in the U.S.: Northern, Southern, Midland, and Western dialects, each with unique characteristics like vowel shifts.
    • Social and Ethnic Dialects
    • Variations determined by social background or cultural ethnicity, influencing all linguistic features.

  • Standard English

    • Formal Standard English
    • Governed by rules of language and grammar typically used in academic writing and formal speech.
    • Informal Standard English
    • Reflects the perspective of speakers regarding one's language standardness.

  • Vernacular Dialects

    • Varieties of spoken American English not considered formal standards.

Regional Dialects in the United States

  • Major regional dialects:
    • North
    • South
    • Midland
    • West
  • Examples of Specific Dialects
    • Appalachian English
    • Spoken in rural areas near the Appalachian Mountains, exhibiting specific vowel sounds.
    • Ozark English
    • Spoken close to the Ozark Plateaus and share characteristics with Appalachian English.

Cultural Considerations

  • Race vs. Culture vs. Ethnicity

    • Race: A biological term based on observable physical features.
    • Culture: A collective lifestyle of a group, including values, beliefs, and traditions.
    • Ethnicity: Related to commonalities in nationality, religion, or region.

  • African American Vernacular English (AAVE)

    • A rule-governed dialect, not uniformly spoken by all African Americans.
    • Variations based on gender and socioeconomic status.

Language Transfer and Learning

  • Language Transfer

    • The incorporation of features from a native language (L1) into a new language being learned (L2).
    • Especially prevalent among English as a second language learners.

  • Code Switching and Mixing

    • Alternating between a native language (L1) and the second language (L2) depending on context.

Assessment Insights

  • ASHA Guidelines
    • Dialects are considered acceptable forms of English; thus, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) must be aware of various American English dialects.
  • Testing Considerations
    • Use of nondiscriminatory testing and dynamic assessments is crucial to fairly evaluate multilingual or dialect-influenced individuals.
    • The need for research and understanding of specific dialects is emphasized, as bias in testing is often based on standard American English norms.

Addressing Language Proficiency

  • Limited English Proficient Students
    • Students who are not native English speakers; need special considerations in assessments.
    • Over 460 languages spoken in the U.S.; most prevalent is Spanish (65.8%), followed by Chinese and Vietnamese.

Norms of Language and Performance

  • Key considerations for assessments include:

    • Misuse of past tense or other grammatical structures often relate to language transfer issues and should not be penalized.
    • Dynamic assessment approaches and observation should supplement standardized assessments.

  • Examples of Normal Dialectical Patterns

    • Substitutions due to dialectal influence (e.g., substituting sounds or omitting articles).
    • Recognition that these do not reflect disorders but are expected differences in linguistic behavior based on the individual’s language background.