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Jermel Langley Language Autobiography / response video

Posted by Jermel Langley in English 2 - Block on
​l. My Language autobiography is showing how Code switching is a major part of my life. Word are the real power people have you just have to know how to use them. I just wanted to show everyone who reads my paper how my use of code switching can help out. Everyone code switches because it's like a instincts you have when you know how to talk. 

ll. 

Code Switching In Language

This was one of my regular Friday’s when I was suppose to get my cut. I walking to my room and my cousins comes over my house. So my mom calls me down stair to get my hair done. I walk to the kitchen and wait i know you may think hold up I’m getting my hair cut in the kitchen but we have been doing this for the pass 3 years so it’s cool and they make me clean it after anyways. So back to the story. My cousin Boo was staying in the kitchen, he has a full Beard, my skin completion, and very husky.

“Wassup! cousin boo ” He turn around and give me a hand shake. When he give me hand Shakes it feel like he trying to break my hand.
“Wassup kid, i see you getting a lil husky over there but you see i been in the gym 2” As he said this he flexed his muscles. like if I like seeing them or something. really I don’t be caring but I don’t say anything. so he could feel better about his self.
“Yeah im not even husky tho haha” I know i’m husky he don’t have to tell me.
“yeah ard, but you ready to be pretty for the city?”
“ Swag you already know, ima sit down”
“ all right then, you about to pull all the bittes.”
“ Yeah you already know cousin boo you know”
“ It’s in our blood Mel G’s”
“ Mel G’s “
Boo: “ these ladies don't know they talking to Mel G over here”
This is a conversation that me and my cousin have all the time, but this is a conversation that only be and my cousin can have. I use slang for the fun in the way I talk. I feel as tho it gives me freedom. But at the same time I can code switch very well and if you don’t know what code switching mean it when you change the way you speak to present your self a certain way to certain people. Like if you curse and talk with slang around your friends and never even think about talking that way around your parents. Plus if you did you know your parent will be like I’m not your friend, so talk to me the right way. I do this all the time.
Late August, We were having a Award Ceremony for my Advance Engineering Design program. As soon as we walked in Naval Commanders came to me and my group and began talking to us. I was nervous but I just started talking very proper.

“Goodmorning, what’s your name” This man was a tall and white with a naval suit on and a white hat. “My name is jermel sir and how is your morning going?”  

Right here is where you can see i code switched for one respect and two it’s in my personally. Code switching is a major part of language because you need to know how to approach certain people in certain ways. if you don't know how you can get laughed at and never get token seriously, you can never get a job, or you won’t fit in where ever you go.

With both events, I showed you that happened in my life and overall conflicts wit language. With these 2 events I summed up Code switching in language. Slang is a friendly way of talking to people your around everyday, which is a shortcut for the way anyone talk. And talking proper is just a professional way to speak to someone. With Code switching you will learn that you will always do this wit everyone you talk to in your life. Everyone have a different way you talk to them. Code switching is just a name of how you live your everyday life...

April Woodburn, Language Autobiography and response/video

Posted by Anonymous in English 2 - Block on
​I. Response

My language autobiography mainly uses my history as a person to show how my speech has changed over the years. I never realized how much impacted the way people spoke until i had to write this paper. Throughout my life, my speech was changing from the voice of a sheltered, one accent white girl to slowly becoming an open, adaptable, cultured voice that could speak to people with ease in many cases. 

II. Language Autobiography

    Before a little while ago I never really felt like an autobiography was needed for the way I spoke. I never really thought the way my speech was unique or different than anyone else. I always knew that other people spoke different than me, but I always spoke like my family, and I hadn't thought about the way others spoke unless it was being made fun of. I guess the best way to describe the way I speak is to show a bit of my history from start to now.
        I was born into an Irish family that just lived the standard “white-person” life. We just lived a way that was considered “normal” to most white people in a black neigborhood. We didn’t go to church, we didn’t usually go and spend money doing fun things, and, as the youngest child, I never went out because I wasn’t allowed to. The kids in the neighborhood moved in and out before I could get to know them because they were in section 8 housing. They all spoke different then me, saying phrases that changed pretty much every year, from “decent” to “drawlin’” to “triflin’.” I could never keep up, especially when I was never able to hang out with these people. I was that white girl they saw in school who got the good grades. With this kind of Isolation, I was subject to my parents’ Olde Philadelphia accents which had had also grown on my siblings, such as saying “wooder” instead of water.

This was my only linguistic influence until probably sixth or seventh grade, when heard mostly from not my parents but the people at my middle school, who were predominantly black. My seventh grade English teacher, a black woman named Mrs. Clarke, especially influenced me. She was the first black teacher I had ever had, and she was a very powerful speaker. She was the one who started to teach me how to speak to a crowd, so I began to have traces of her accent within mine. She also had a slight olde Philadelphia accent, being an older woman, but she had a classic turn of phrase that you would expect from most black women, not pronouncing her “er’s” and saying phrases like “Tore up from the Floor up”. By that time, I had been into anime and Japanese culture as well. I was very slowly learning Japanese, and used my new skills whenever I spoke for short periods of time.

By high school, I had learned more Japanese and was also learning Spanish. It quickly became a trend to use Spanish words when my classmates spoke to each other. I still often do that, usually to my Spanish 2 classmates. Plus, in the high school that I attend, I am far from being the only one interested in Japanese language, anime and culture. Some of my newer experiences have been the most influential to me. The more comfortable I get speaking around a person, the more I tend to match their speech patterns. So, I guess I don’t really have one language Identity, but many. I am an olde Philadelphian with new turn of phrase and Spanganese words sprinkled in.


III. Video

Driver's Ed Project

Posted by Manna-Symone Middlebrooks in Physics - Echols on

To whom it may concern:

      Unfortunately, the weather is one of the few forces of which humans have not yet mastered control. Because of this, on a daily basis we are forced to cope and plan our lives around the will of the weather. This applies most importantly for individuals who choose to drive carelessly in adverse weather conditions. The focus of this information packet is to warn the drivers of Pennsylvania of the dangers that lurk in adverse weather conditions and how they can be avoided with consideration of simple things Usually, our organization focuses more so on speeding issues in this state, but it has come to out attention that the drivers of Pennsylvania are lacking a consideration of the basics of driving. Most of what is to be read in the following pages seems like it is common sense, but if you take the time to actually pay attention to what happens on the highways, roads, and streets of Pennsylvania you will see that this “sense” is not common among Pennsylvanians. We encourage you to view the corresponding public service announcement below.

Thank you,

CUASP

(Citizens United Against Speeding in Pennsylvania)



The write-up to accompany the PSA can be viewed here.

Language Autobiography

Posted by Maria-Carolina Latorre-Socas in English 2 - Block on
​Introduction & Reflection

My language autobiography is about a experience I had in middle school. It shows how word/language affected the way I thought. Words can hurt a lot and I just wanted to show to who ever reads this how much words hurt me.

Language Autobiography​

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." That saying was all a very big lie that we all use but never works. The truth is that words hurt a lot more then sticks and stones because at least when time passes the bruises that were on you will not be there anymore, but when it comes to those words, they will always linger in you mind not out of sight. I know this very well because there are words that hurt a lot and keep on repeating themselves each time I think of my middle school. The schools name is William Levering Elementary School, It’s a very old school there was two different building, a new building that was made out of concrete and had bigger windowed. The floors were well made and they aren’t cracked. The old building was made out stone the windows are regular size. The floor was made out of concrete and it was all cracked, the walls all have words written on them like “Whore, Bitch, etc.” then there were the drawings of the males organ and of the females chest. I was in eighth grade when I had painful words spoken to me. This was a time that a teacher called me stupid using big words thinking that I wouldn’t understand her. I didn’t get it at first. I would ask myself was it because English was not my first language, my first tongue or was it that my first language, my first tongue was so disliked by others? or was it that Spanish is my first language and it’s a hard language for a lot of people to learn or was it because I knew two languages and she only knew one was that why she talk to me in that ill manner way? Until now I didn’t get why she said those hateful words.

The words that were spoken were,  “Maria you won’t be able to do anything. You’re inept and can’t do anything. You can’t read or write. Your test grades are lower then the average. You don’t even use what we had taught you.” Those words hurt a lot the first time I heard then but not only once but twice. The first time it was said to me was around February 1:50pm. I was walking down to the nurse room with one of my best friend. The whole day was so nice. Nothing bad happened but when I got into the nurse room she was there. She was like 4.9ft in height and she looks very constipated. She was talking to the nurse when I had walking in she had said to the nurse, “I only ate half of a peanut and that was my lunch.” After I had finished at the nurse my friend and I want to the library. My homeroom teacher let us go to the library but the lady didn’t know. She came up to my friend and I. That was when those hateful words were spewed out. I was about to cry but I couldn’t show her that it hurt so much. I wasn’t about to go and give her the pleasure and the power to make me cry. So I want to the classroom and hid from everyone and started to cry. Now every time that I think of my elementary her words repeat themselves.

Some words hurt more then others, were this words “You can’t read or write.” These words were right but at the sametime wrong because I can read and I can write. I may have some trouble with grammar and with words but that doesn’t mean that I can do either. Even my English teacher said I had good Ideas but it’s just the grammar and the explanation that I need to fix.

The other set of words that hurt were, “You’re inept and can’t do anything.”  They were the words that I didn’t understand that much, but I figured it out. It was another way to say that I’m stupid and that I can’t do anything. I hate these words so much. The second time it was said to me was the next day.

Those words hurt me a lot more the second time. I had the worst last year of middle school. When she said it the second time I couldn’t hold my feelings back. I started to cry. This time I give her the power. The pain of hearing that from a teacher hurt me more then it coming from my family because I know my family is just playing around but a teacher the person that shouldn’t say those word did. From that day I started hiding my emotions from everyone and if I was sad I would have a clear expression but people didn’t know if I was sad, mad, or bored. I still do it because I’m trying to protect myself there are some people that I let near me but not so many. Those that are near me can tell the different very fast and always try to make me smile, but no mater what happens those word will never disappear from my mind, but no mater what I have people that love me and say that I’m really smart and that makes my day.

Education in Philadelphia: The Legislators

Posted by Jason Davis in American Government - Laufenberg on
The School District of Philadelphia has faced a lot of challenges in 2011. From the mass budget cuts of the spring, to the firing of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman in the summer, there has been massive reform and lack of organization in the district. My in depth studying and lobbying of education reform has led me to study closer to the local acts of legislation that effect education.


The most recent act of legislation in the Philadelphia area that captured my attention was Councilman Bill Greens proposal to pull the SRC (School Reform Commission) in order to allow successful Philadelphia public schools to enhance their education without having to deal with the restrictions of the School Reform Commission. 


Since running for City Council in 2007, Councilman Green has been a strong proponent of improving public education in Philadelphia. He has proposed a number of different pieces of legislation with regards to Philadelphia Eduction, including a policy outlining over 30 different recommendations to help fix Philadelphia Schools in the spring of 2010.


After hearing of this, I chose to use him as the legislator to reach out to for my lobby. After having trouble getting a hold of him at his city hall office by Phone, I decided to send a letter by mail with hopes that it will receive close contemplation. The letter included a praise of his former legislative moves in city hall, followed by introduction of who I was and why I was writing to him in regards to education reform. My focal concern was on his recent push against the SRC. I expressed my support for his decision but questioned the specific policies he was concerned about. And what was the ultimate factor that made him decide to make this move. It'll be interesting to see his response (If I get one) to my letter. Hopefully It will give my a more hands on look as too how legislators go about making their decision process.

Education in Philadelphia

Posted by Jason Davis in American Government - Laufenberg on

The School District of Philadelphia has faced a lot of challenges in 2011. From the mass budget cuts of the spring, to the firing of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman in the summer, there has been massive reform and lack of organization in the district. My in depth studying and lobbying of education reform has led me to study closer to the local acts of legislation that effect education.


The most recent act of legislation in the Philadelphia area that captured my attention was Councilman Bill Greens proposal to pull the SRC (School Reform Commission) in order to allow successful Philadelphia public schools to enhance their education without having to deal with the restrictions of the School Reform Commission. 


Since running for City Council in 2007, Councilman Green has been a strong proponent of improving public education in Philadelphia. He has proposed a number of different pieces of legislation with regards to Philadelphia Eduction, including a policy outlining over 30 different recommendations to help fix Philadelphia Schools in the spring of 2010.


After hearing of this, I chose to use him as the legislator to reach out to for my lobby. After having trouble getting a hold of him at his city hall office by Phone, I decided to send a letter by mail with hopes that it will receive close contemplation. The letter included a praise of his former legislative moves in city hall, followed by introduction of who I was and why I was writing to him in regards to education reform. My focal concern was on his recent push against the SRC. I expressed my support for his decision but questioned the specific policies he was concerned about. And what was the ultimate factor that made him decide to make this move. It'll be interesting to see his response (If I get one) to my letter. Hopefully It will give my a more hands on look as too how legislators go about making their decision process.

LangAuto/Reflection/video-jschwartz

Posted by Jeffery Schwartz in English 2 - Block on

I liked the project a lot and I was able to express how I feel about this topic well.  For this project I needed to bring up an issue relating to language identity. Many people had different ideas, because this subject could be divided into many groups. I had an easy time describing myself and making descriptive scenes. I had a tough time picking what language identity topic I would describe. I learned a lot obviously that language effects us but language really does effect us in ways we don't know sometimes.



Language has been used for thousands of years as a way to spread ideas and thoughts. It has been developing for millions of generations. It will always travel through cultures and sub-groups and evolve to fit them. Although humans created language with symbols and designs, language will ultimately mold us into new beings with different perspectives. Language is a organism that can be divided, stretched, and expanded to create infinite combinations of dialects and slang.

Language will shape us. People create their own languages and those languages rub off onto others. Some people really want this, they like to be different or it might be the only way to be accepted. Others don’t, and can’t help being sucked into it. They are forced to change to fit a situation presented upon them. You can also balance your languages and use them when needed. It’s easier to have that path, where you change the way you talk for different people and situations.

I have been studying Kenpo karate for 9 years now and have recently received my 1st degree black belt. It took me 9 years to earn this second black belt and it came with a unique lingual mindset.

In one of my adult classes, one lady named Philus started to observe the techniques more closely. She is medium height and has short and spiky black and gray hair. After showing her the last few stomps of each technique she shared her observation. "Why does that technique even need that kick at the end?"

I replied, "It can stop the opponent if they try to get back up." She didn't seem satisfied with this answer and made a “pfft" sound and returned to the lesson. The next technique I taught her was called Sleeper, and it's one of my favorites. At the end of the technique you knock the opponent down and punch and knee them on the ground. Philus raised her hand and asked, "Why would you even add that last punch and knee, I couldn’t see myself knocking a guy down and there’s no way I could stay around and hit him again." She continued talking, "Most of these techniques have a lot of extra stuff I think it’s just Kenpo Overkill." I laughed at that, Kenpo Overkill. So did the rest of the class. Philus was completely serious. She brought that phrase up a few times during class, and never failed to make everyone smile.

        I mostly use this phrase when I'm in a class with her. When ever I say it to her she immediately becomes interested in the conversation, and fills with energy. It's easy to acquire new forms of language when you expose yourself to new learning environments. The people around you always have an effect that can stick with you for life.


This scene reminded me of Amy Tan’s, “A mother Tongue.” Tan, Amy. Harvard, "Home is were the heart dwells." Last modified 2/06/2006. Accessed January 5, 2012. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/guorui/2008/02/06/mother-tongue-by-amy-tan/. “And my mother was standing in the back whispering loudly, ‘Why he don’t send me check. Already two weeks late. So mad he lie to me, losing me money.m. ” Another character in the essay speaks “And then I said in perfect English, ‘Yes, I’m getting rather concerned. You had agreed to send the check two weeks ago, but it hasn’t arrived.’” Amy Tan spoke this way to prove a point. She wanted to be well understood by the person. She spoke in a clear and easily understandable way so the other character could understand her. When I speak the language accepted by the person I’m speaking to, I can be taken more seriously, then if I spoke in a more personal way. This is why I spoke in Philus’s “language.” She does accept standard English, and she speaks it most of the time, but her standard English will have small changes to match the situation, just like mine. I can speak English, but everyone interacts with different people, those people will all give you certain characteristics in your speech that will stay with you, ready for you to use them when needed. Philus was able to create her own language with English roots. I joined her to connect with her and adapting to another person’s way of communicating is usually a very good way to spread an idea.

Every time a new person is created a new mass of languages will be created. Many people don’t understand how hard they try to be accepted. People want to have companions, friends, and family. There have been countless times where my language identity has changed. As long as I continue to meet new people with different ideas and thoughts, I will always take qualities of each language and create my own. My version of the widely excepted Standard English language is just a combination of thousands of voices that I can now use. No matter what other people say, I’m unique and create my own path of life.