Grammar Alive! A Student's Handbook

“Arguments over grammar and style are often as fierce as those over IBM versus Mac, and as fruitless as Coke versus Pepsi and boxers versus briefs (Jack Lynch).”

Like most things, when trying to define grammar I turn to the internet. Wikipedia defines grammar in the following way. “In linguistics, grammar refers to the logical and structural rules that govern the composition of sentences, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of such rules, and this field includes morphology and syntax, often complemented by phonetics, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics. Each language has its own distinct grammar (singular). "English grammar" is the set of rules within the English language itself. "

Well, so what? What does that mean to me as a student? Students today are a mix of talented individuals that will need to know at least two English dialects in order to be successful in the 21st century. That’s right; you need to be taught bidialecticalism! Where else other than the English classroom is it wrong to ask, “Can I go to the bathroom?” Only in an English classroom will the answer be, “I don’t know, can you?” I agree that the language of our neighborhoods is what will get us through life, but it is “Standard English” that will catapult you into the next income bracket.

There is a lot of discussion surrounding the teaching of grammar. If you are anything like me, you may wonder how to use and apply grammar that you were never formally taught. In today’s diverse classrooms we are taking an innovative approach. That is to say, let’s look at the connection between grammar and being able to read and write in a way that will help to get a job or run a business. Let’s apply grammar to the real world. In addition, lets look at dialects the students are bringing into the classroom and their connection to “Standard English”. Absolutely every dialect is perfect at serving the community that uses it. Yes, I am saying that how you speak is perfect! Ya feel me? However, in a society dominated by one dialect, that dialect needs to be mastered in order to increase your ability for successful interactions with those who have the power. I proclaim that “Standard English” is your money language! Unless you have a guaranteed career are in the athletics or the entertainment industry, you will need to be able to conform to the rules of “Standard English”. There can be no argument to the fact that there is power in being able to speak “Standard English”. It is time that you ensure that you can fluently communicate in a way that will not put you at risk of being perceived as ignorant or unsophisticated. This is not something to learn and forget. As you leave school and embark on the career that will define your professional life, the ability to talk the talk will separate you from the pack. You may not be asked to solve an algebraic equation, but you will be asked to speak.

At the same time, you need to know that there is also a time and place to speak the language of the neighborhood. This is where the idea of being bidialectical comes into play. The goals and solutions this book proposes aims to teach grammar, as well to provide information about grammar. Now is the time to grab a hold of grammar. This insightful and culturally inclusive book will inspire you to bring the excitement of grammar and the richness of language into your life. It is time to embrace, and use to your advantage, “Standard English.” It is my hope that this book will teach you how to manipulate the English language in a way that will get you an advantage in life.