7/8/2025 Talk Proper

      

        Willie Jordan expressed the importance of not forcing a specific way of speaking on to others. This story allows people to see the struggle of having to conform to America's societal norms relating to language. Many young African AMericans are forced to code switch to the “proper” way to speak in order to advance in life whether that be to gain a job, gain the respect of a fellow white pier, or even the ability to be looked at as innocent in relation to a crime. The Use of “Standard English” which is really considered “White English" as the correct way to speak is harmful. This also is partnered with the idea that African Americans presumably cannot speak “Standard English” as stated in the text that creates confusion for only African Americans being that they can speak “Standard English” as well as “Black English”. When they are immediately met with the idea that they can't do something it leaves a bad taste in their mouth just like it would for you and me. For example, in the TedTalk “the Danger of a Single Story” Chimamanda talks about her experience of coming to America for college. She tells us a story of how when she first got here and met her roommate she was immediately stereotyped because of the way she spoke. Her roommate looked at her and said “Wow, your English is really good.” This was confusing for Chimamanda because English is a language widely spoken in Nigeria being that it was their official language. This blatant ignorance that accompanies the idea that Black people speak a certain way is what further pushes the narrative that there is a right and wrong way to talk.

Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. “The Danger of a Single Story.” TED, www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/transcript. Accessed 8 July 2025.