Think about the texts we’ve explored so far this semester. Some help us understand other readings; others help us thinking about our own experiences as we learn about others’ experiences.
In a comment below, please share your thoughts on one of the following, or come up with your own way of applying one text to another.
- In “How to Read like a Writer,” Mike Bunn helps us think about how we can read a text like a writer, understanding how the author uses techniques to reach a specific audience and for what purpose. Apply this idea to one of our other texts that we’ve read or watched so far.
- In “What is Code Switching?” Lisa Beasley talks about how she uses language differently in different groups. Apply this idea to one of our other texts to consider what it helps us understand, for example, about Amy Tan’s essay, Perri Klass’s article, or Mary Wollstonecraft’s letter.
Lisa Beasley ideas about code switching can be applied in “Mothers Tongue” by Amy Tan. I say this because Tan has to code switch when translating for her mother. She tries her best to speak in proper English when talking to different people. This shows her understanding that code switching better helps communicate.
How does code switching work? by Lisa Beasley explains how she changes her language base on who she’s around . One of the works we read is Amy Tan’s article, which explains what code swapping is and how different Tans use it. In the book Tan was frequently assisting her mother because of the language barrier and was put in a setting that non-immigrant children would be able to comprehend. Tan observes that despite the fact that English is not her strongest subject, she wants to study it.
– Once more, creole is the language of my mother. As a result, she speaks rudimentary English and has a limited understanding of social conventions and grammar. Among them would be — “Afternoon” ”Morning” Have a great day, Another, “How are you?” My mother’s English is not very good, as you can see. The majority of the time I speak to her in creole.
The idea of code switching from Lisa Beasley’s video applies to Mary Wollstonecraft’s letter to the former bishop that she writes to by very vigorously speaking about the support for women’s rights in an extremely professional and politically energetic tone. She is trying to convince the former bishop during the developing French Revolution that the time for change is upon them and to take action against the established order that treats women far less fairly than men by offering points that both sexes can benefit from women’s rights. She offers argument after argument to a religous and political official in a tone and way of speaking beffiting of a person of high education and status. This is all used to help her prove her argument and really makes her sound like she knows what she is talking about.
These applications of the idea of code switching helpnus think more about the authors’ experiences–and some of our own as well. Let’s work on defining code switching in class today so we can also consider how power dynamics plays into what we’re observing when we notice these language shifts. What’s at stake in these examples of code switching, and who benefits?
We haven’t discussed Mike Bunn specifically in class. Let’s be sure to add this ideas to our conversations as well so we benefit from this idea of reading like a writer. For example, why does Tan share the examples she includes in her essay? Who is Klass aiming to reach, other medical professionals who would share her experience? Thinking about how we feel included or excluded as readers is a helpful way to evaluate what we understand about how a writer uses the idea of audience.