I am writing an language essay for my AP english language and compostion and I need major help!!

Wondergirl

What kind of help do you need? Please be specific.

tennisgal

I need to know what is "nonstandard language" to write an essay about: what are the advantages and disadvantages of using nonstandard language when speaking? How effective are these forms of language as ways to communicate? I have nothing written down now..and its due tomorrow! Please help!

Wondergirl

Here's a definition of the term:

nonstandard. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

Are you supposed to write about (which one?) --
1. the general idea of this?
2. a specific nonstandard language?
3. the general definition and discuss that, then move into specific nonstandard languages and tell how they are effective or ineffective?

How long is the essay supposed to be?

What grade are you in? (high school junior or senior maybe?)

tennisgal

thanks for replying
I am not really sure but I think I am supposed the nonstandard language is referring to "blah, blah,blah" "yeah,right" and "duh" since these are in the passages that we have recently read.

here is the prompt if your confused:
Kim Kessler and Kirk Johnson both write about forms of language that do not obey traditional grammar rules and are considered incorrect by some people. As you see it, what are the disadvantages and advantages of using nonstandard language when speaking? How effective are these forms of language as ways to communicate? Write an essay answering these questions, using examples from the essays and your own experience.

Wondergirl

Those would be non-conventional uses that flout our English-language standard or may be novel uses. "Yada, yada, yada" and "d'oh" and "Whatcha talkin' 'bout, Willis?" etc. are stolen from TV shows (plus others from movies) and have become part of our language.

If a person is "in," he will know what the other is talking about. If not, then the person is clueless. Thus the idea of "nonstandard."

Malapropisms (little-kid speech) are idiosyncratic non-conventional uses of language.

If you Google "nonstandard language examples" and similar keywords (without quote marks), and also "malapropisms" and "mondegreens" and "ebonics," you will get all sorts of ideas and help.

Please do NOT plagiarize from any sites. Your teacher will catch you. Use the Internet to get ideas from your own experience.

tennisgal

ok thanks! So I am supposed to tell the advantages and disadvantages of "Blah, Blah, Blah" "yeah, right" and "duh" and how it is effective base on the prompt ??

Wondergirl

Incorrect English is also nonstandard and is spoken within various groups. "We seen it" and "ain't" and "I have got three...." are examples that are common.

Black street talk or rap is another nonstandard language -- "bling" and "ho" and "pimp my ride" and "homey" are examples.

tennisgal

ok I know what your saying
but its not about giving examples of nonstandard language...
is about explaining the disadvantages and advantages of those phrases. You haven't answer my question from above yet..
please answer it

Wondergirl

Well, think about it. What are the advantages of using a language only certain people understand? In the same way, what are the disadvantages? (I could list lots for each of those.)

How effective are they? within one's own group who also speak that way? in the larger group of people who do not speak that way? (lots of things to say here too--think about if you used many of those terms and how it would impact on your life).