Hi everyone!
I am re-posting the Author's Note from my novel The Magic Pencil because I'd like to get the opinions of new friends and members.
Thanks in advance!
copyright (c) 2008
AUTHOR'S NOTE
The characters of "The Magic Pencil" communicate effectively with one another in English but by using varying colloquialisms. Most are following what some would call 'code switching'. I believe this behavior occurs in all people and cultures and that many do so with little or no effort as the situation necessitates. Of course, this is also true for black/African Americans. As the story's main characters are members of that group, the focus is on that group's colloquialisms.
For some it may seem impossible to switch back and forth due to how the language was spoken in their homes or how well the speakers fared, verbally, in Standard English studies. Other variables would be socialization, wealth, influence from regions of the country, and the world. However, the inability to switch can have nothing to do with intelligence or ability.
The characters' language styles are based on what I have experienced during my lifetime. Therefore, I am providing some explanations: The reader will find more than one way to say a word depending on which character is speaking. The reader will notice that the use of the suffix '-ing' (i.e., 'everything') is at the end of some words but ending with '-in' (i.e., cookin) on others. I chose to use the '-ing' pronunciation as opposed to the pronunciation of '-ang' (i.e., thing/thang) which some of the characters may have used in real life. I also chose to use apostrophes sparingly.
I grew up in a family where my sister, brothers and I all attended parochial schools, at least through the eighth grade. There, we continued to learn to speak 'proper' English and it was enforced and exhibited at home. However, our way of speaking with friends and neighbors was heavily influenced by the casual nature of our surroundings. While in school, we very same students, who excelled in Standard English, both spoken and written, changed our inflections and mannerisms once away from the teachers' disapproving eyes and ears. Even then, before knowing of the term, we knew we were 'bilingual'.
The method of communication is not a static thing. From cave paintings to hieroglyphics, Morse code to rap lyrics, all are legitimate in their own ways and times. The language of the people, not the editors, changes the entries in dictionaries.
Therefore, I thank a few of our literary warriors: James Baldwin, Amiri Baraka, Claude Brown, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Nikki Giovanni, Gloria Aneb House, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Walter Mosley, Ntozake Shange, Geneva Smitherman, Alice Walker, and Richard Wright for portraying the many shades of speech black people use, and have used, which spice up our American melting pot.
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." ~ Madame Marie Curie
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Comments: 21
What is this story? Is it fiction, nonfiction? A short story? Novella?
I think you get my point. I'm just very curious.
I love to learn new things all the time.
The book is fiction with a little fantasy and funny stuff added. It is geared toward young adults but I think even a five-year-old would be able to enjoy it.
I believe anyone reading the story would learn something new and important or--at the very least look at things differently.
I wrote it to be "sneakily didactic". It is written mostly in the relaxed language shown above because it is being told by an eleven-year-old boy who can "code switch" when he needs to.
I am at that point where Churchill says your writing may become a demon. I plan to get it published soon!
Maybe I'll post it chapter by chapter again and get more feedback.
Thank you maria.
10 4 u
Lewis--I was born in Detroit where almost everybody I knew had relatives directly from the South. People are always saying Detroiters sound "so southern".
The chapters 1-3 are posted on Gather, Susan.
Thanks F. Jeanette!
As I state in my Author's Note: everybody code-switches.
The A N will be the last two pages of the book. As my intended audience is young adults, I don't want to turn them off with the explanation as the first thing they read. I have a "hip hoppy" poem at the beginning for them. The A Note is for the adults who may wish to understand my motives before purchasing the book. I would be surprised if more than a few children choose to read it. I was the type of kid who would have, however.
If you read the whole book you will see it is sneakily didactic and, I feel, seamless.
I am working on a vocabulary list, relaxed language guide and lesson plans for teachers who wish to use the book in class.
I recommend that they treat is as a fun read. I feel that it will be more effective and engaging if presented in such a manner. I also believe that will help pull out the most recalcitrant of learners. Black relaxed language is all around. Look at the sitcoms and TV commercials.
More children of any persuasion will be able to interpret it than adults. This also will provide a chance for students to get to teach in case the teachers have not had much experience or respect for BRL--as their students may. I expect my hardest sell to be black teachers who want to steer students away from using such language. Hence the realistic use of slang and standard English throughout the book.
Wishing you much success with The Magic Pencil!