One way to be respectful of the culture represented through the language of these texts is to find official recordings of readings. That way, students will be able to hear an accurate representation of that dialect or the language being used.
For example, this clip from Song of the South could be used with stories from Uncle Remus, His Songs and Sayings which also allows us to analyze the original text along with the film representation of it.
Another approach to promoting respect is explaining the context of the text that is read. I think this really helps students grasp the culture of the time period and understand the reason for the style or language that is used.
In the case of Huck Finn and the use of the "n" word, whether or not it is spoken while quoting or discussing the text will have to depend on the maturity of students in the class. Not all students will be able to handle the use of that word with the respect it demands. However, because it is a representation of the cultural language of the time period, it would be an injustice to purchase censored books and require the immature student to read that version as opposed to the original text. It robs those students of an accurate experience with the time period and culture. If we deny them this, we deny them the opportunity to observe how culture and language changes over time.
I appreciate the way Dr. Campbell encourages engagement by asking for student voices to read and I think she approached the matter of being respectful appropriately by asking us not to try reading in any funny accents or voices but instead to paraphrase what we read. I also appreciate that she didn't force only one student to read it and struggle alone by not silencing the other students who attempted to help in translating. I know that, at least for the portion of the story I read, it was rather difficult in some parts and I felt comfortable enough to stumble while others filled in my blanks.
I think one of the best ways to introduce this atmosphere of respect is through the use of student's home language through a narrative poem or short story. This can help students relate to the different dialects, slang, or culture of these old stories because every student will have different cultural home life experiences. Before starting on these texts, I would have students share their personal experiences with the class so we can observe the spectrum of cultures and perspectives represented in our classroom. I plan to do many other activities like this that build a strong sense of connection and understanding among my students throughout the school year. I believe these elements greatly influence the amount of respect in the classroom because the more students understand and connect to each other, the more they will respect each other.
Interesting post. I do think your points are very important to think about if a person is thinking about going into teaching. Finding a balance is always very important, especially when approaching works that have the content that "Uncle Remus" does. Taking away the language would really alter the work. However, it's important to explain why it was used and how we, as modern readers, need to approach it the way we do.
ReplyDeleteI agree that your points are important, Katie, and would second your ideas about the importance of respect.
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