DIVERSITY IN SPOKEN LANGUAGE

Articles on diversity in spoken language (young peoples' use of slang in schools)

 

SLANG BANNED FROM CROYDEN SCHOOL TO IMPROVE STUDENT SPEECH

Harris Academy Upper Norwood, South London, has implemented its decision to ban the use of slang such as 'like', 'bare and 'innit' during the school day. This decision was made to try and help students find future employment and to improve their performance and attitude towards education.

They have stated that students heard using the 'informal' slang will be asked to reflect on their decisions.

The school has also said that using 'basically' and 'so...yeah' in sentences has been considered informal and inappropriate. They say that the decision to ban slang words "is just one of the many ways in which we are building the vocabulary of our students and giving them the skills that they need to express themselves confidently and appropriately for a variety of audiences."

 

However there are many controversial views towards the schools decision; Terry Victor, editor of the New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, has said "it's wrong", "you cannot censor a young person's language". He also mentioned that "[the word] 'ain't was around in the 19th century, even people like Dickens used it...and how many politicians have you heard use the word 'basically' at the beginning of a sentence?", "yes it is irritating, but it is part of deliberate language."  

link to article - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24522809

Similar/related article:
BAN ON BLACK COUNTRY SLANG HAS IMPROVED READING AND WRITING CLAIMS CONTROVERSIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL WHICH SPARKED ANGER BY PULLING UP PUPILS ON LOCAL DIALECT
A West-midlands primary school has banned the use of Black Country slang to improve children's academic ability. This sparks anger among local parents as they say, "it [Black Country slang] should be preserved to protect the young individuals and local identity"
: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2791261/ban-black-country-slang-improved-reading-writing-claims-controversial-primary-school-sparked-anger-pulling-pupils-local-dialect.html
PUPILS BANNED FROM USING SLANG IN SCHOOLS : pupils at Sheffield's Springs Academy have been ordered to stop using slang while at school to improve their job prospects.
: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9081943/Pupils-banned-from-using-slang-in-school.html
BANNING SLANG WILL ONLY FURTHER ALIENATE YOUNG PEOPLE, INNIT : similar article to 'Slang banned from Croyden School..." - explains why it would have a negative impact
: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/16/banning-slang-harris-academy-alienate-young-people