The Effects of Training in Linguistics on Teaching: K-12 Teachers in White Mountain Apache Schools
INFORMATION ABOUT REGISTERS, DIALECTS, CODESWITCHING AND BILINGUALISM, SCHOOL VERSUS HOME LANGUAGE
Here, teachers offer their knowledge and observations about bilingualism, Apache English, and Apache. They also demonstrate their growing appreciation of the linguistic abilities of their students.
Teacher C
I have learned that the Apache dialect is similar to the English dialect in that depending on where you live the pronunciation changes. Even distances as close as an hour make a difference. Cibecue is an hour away from Whiteriver, but yet there are differences in the pronunciation of simple words such as Dahgotah.
Teacher D
Finally, I was especially interested when she talked about school language versus home language. For so many years I have felt that people don’t realize that Rez English, Spanglish, or Ebonics are languages. They are seen as incorrect. But they are all languages, that may have their time and space. They may not be the school norm language or what is accepted in certain circumstances, but they are language.
Teacher F
Apache adults I encounter, mostly the assistants at our school, use code switching. They will be speaking in Apache and often throw in a word in English. Often it is a modern word, like computer. Hearing that one English word has always made me wish I could understand the rest, but I do not begrudge Apaches doing this. I think it is wonderful that they are bilingual and capable of code switching. I do not see it as a bad thing. My students do not code switch. They are mostly monolingual in English. So this component of bilingualism has not affected my teaching in any way, it has just helped me to better understand Apache adults.
Teacher G
I have become aware of a very distinct “Rez” language. The students certainly have terms and expressions that are distinct to the community and the school. The “Rez” is kind of like a big neighborhood, divided into specific sections. “Dry” and “cheap” are two examples that come to mind. They are not used in the definition of the word, as I know it. It reminds me of an East Coast term I sometimes use, “wicked”.
