Trinidadian Creole: Language Difference vs. Language Disorder
Educators and examiners alike tend to view, pidgins, creoles, and other minority dialects as degenerate forms of the standardized or mainstream language. Researchers and scholars alike propose the idea that these non-standard dialects interfere with the student's acquisition of the standard. As a result, these dialects are banned from most classrooms. Common educational policy is to utilize the so-called standard varieties, those found in reputable texts and mass media. They have come to be highly regarded by the general public as the form that is more logical, more precise, and in some cases even more prestigious than other varieties of the language.
This study seeks to provide a contrastive analysis between non-standard dialects (Trinidadian Creole) and the mainstream (Trinidadian English). These phenomenons will be investigated by examining research done in different locations with varying populations and programs, inspecting the role of stigmatized varieties on the standard by reviewing relevant theory and research in the area of sociolinguistics. The research on the acquisition of the standard as the second language demonstrates that contrary to the prevailing viewpoint, the Creole assists in the acquisition of the standard as well as provides meaningful associations for the students, thus providing a positive rather than negative effect on education and society.
This study seeks to provide a contrastive analysis between non-standard dialects (Trinidadian Creole) and the mainstream (Trinidadian English). These phenomenons will be investigated by examining research done in different locations with varying populations and programs, inspecting the role of stigmatized varieties on the standard by reviewing relevant theory and research in the area of sociolinguistics. The research on the acquisition of the standard as the second language demonstrates that contrary to the prevailing viewpoint, the Creole assists in the acquisition of the standard as well as provides meaningful associations for the students, thus providing a positive rather than negative effect on education and society.
School:
Southeastern Louisiana University
Department:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Research Advisor:
Adele Proctor
Department of Research Advisor:
Speech and Hearing Science
Year of Publication:
2008