Literature Majors

Jordan Hairston

December 4, 2012

English Benchmark

  Reading multiple novels written by literature majors has advanced my language. If I were to say that I have been practicing this language for three years, in a lot of cases, certain cases it shows. I choose the time and place to use the intelligence I’ve come across. In places were I am known and comfortable I speak the way that I have always spoken. That’s with slurs, slangs, unnecessary sounds or silence. An over heard dinner conversation with my family would be a good example of my comfort language.

 

“Yo Jay, I’m feelin’ your sneakers though.”

“Right, these got me lookin’ fresh.”

“I need to snatch a pair for me.”

“I know that’s right for real.”

 

Having two ways of speaking is an advantage in the world I live in. Being who I am requires an explanation every now and then. In a world of confusion and judgment I have the chance to choose the time and place to switch between the two. When I’m in the state of mind where I am able to find the right words to say what I know is right, I find power in those words.

 

I understand the meaning behind the words of James Baldwin when he wrote, “You have confessed your parents, your youth, your school, your salary, your self-esteem, and at last your future.” In “If Black English Isn’t A Language, Then What Is It?”  Language represents power and is significant to have a higher level that represents my intelligence. It’s best for me to use my advanced language in a professional environment. However, if I were revealing who I am and who I am going to be, wouldn’t it be smarter to use the powerful language at all times? If my writings are ever read I get out of it the questions and comments on my how I chose to portray my experiences.

 

“I have found that putting a time limit on something important-like writing a song- further delays the significance from fully being finished. The right way.”

 

“You don’t have to justify everything you do.”

 

“But if I don’t I know that my point won’t get across without the right speech.”

 

“ Either way we understand what your saying. We also speak English.”

 

I don’t know if differing the language is right because it is the same language. The proper thing to say is differing the way the language is spoken and who it is spoken by. The question of what is the right to speak is asked. The proper way most will agree.

 

But what happens if I bring the two together in one place? Will it force me to lose power and fall behind? I think that I will just gain power and move forward in this world. For personality and the courage to do so. I wouldn’t want to look back in life and say what Richard Rodriguez said in “Hunger of Memory”. “In adulthood, I am embarrassed by childhood fears.” Fearing that an element such as language will bring my power down because mispronunciations and miscommunication. Language gains power depending on how well it is portrayed. Literature majors will continue to gain power because they are able to maintain communication through language.