Three ways to speak English is a poem performed orally by Jamila Lyiscott. The poem sounds like a comedic piece but actually discusses several important questions. in the poem Jamila talks about how she speaks different types of “Englishes” in different settings such as at home, with friends or in school. for instance speaking formally in school but then using slang when with her friends now she says “you may say that slang sounds unintellectual but to the British our English may seem unintellectual as well” so “who controls articulation because the English language is ever changing” now what i believe she meant by that English is not like math where there is only one answer to the question like one plus one equals two. English is more of a in this context what would be the most appropriate word? and their can be multiple correct answers. for instance how do you greet someone? do you say “hello” or do you say “whats good?” who gets to “control that articulation?’ Furthermore if you were paying attention to what Amy Tan said in my previous essay you’ll know that she felt inclined to talk a different way around her mother then when in school. Now for my own opinion, we are going to categorize English into two different genres, Formal and friendly. while talking to your friends lets say does it feel more appropriate to say “good afternoon” or hey what’s up?” ill let you the reader be the judge of that however i know i would certainly sooner greet a good friend with a “what’s up bro” then a “good evening” it just feels more right for me. That being the case if i was at a job interview i would keep everything cordial and formal. so what is considered proper English?
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