social attitudes towards language

In the first two sequences of our course, we’ve discussed several texts (articles, and a film) that raise a variety of sociolinguistic issues. In some way, each text tries to explain how social factors influence the language that we use, and how these factors also cause us to feel both pride and prejudice towards our language and the languages of other people. Our most recent readings show that our attitudes about language can have influence over both the private and public areas of our lives. For example, language policies can radically alter the curriculum of colleges and primary schools. In another instance, the choice to shift or maintain a language can determine whether a person will succeed in school, or whether he or she will keep a strong degree of connection with family and heritage.

Identify a particular question or problem that involves social attitudes towards language. Make a clear argument about how this problem should be addressed. This will require you to state your argument in a thesis somewhere within the first ? of your paper. Then, build your argument in body paragraphs that introduce supporting points and develop the points with evidence drawn from our texts and your own experience or observations. (Try to avoid the three-prong thesis and five-paragraph format. Provide as many body paragraphs as your issue requires). You should also use our class texts to help your reader understand the issue under discussion. Finally, provide a conclusion that reconnects the main points of your paper and gracefully closes your argument.