Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Cultural Difference vs Cultural Deficit

     After reading the text and watching the videos, I now have a better understanding of the terms "cultural difference" and "cultural deficit". It is clear to me what each video is displaying. The short, FOX news clip of the gentleman trying to change the way the African American students speak is a cultural deficit situation. The instructor believes that the students are not aware of how to speak in Proper English, and that they do not know any other form of language side from what they speak. Throughout the video, he explains and displays his corrections of the the students speech and how he tries to change how they communicate with him and each other. The students in the video talk about the language they heard growing up, and that they didn't experience Proper English.
     The second video clip is an example of cultural difference. The fact that individuals grow up with different language experiences, but are able to code-switch in a given situation is evidence of cultural differences. Whether the example be of the young girl who spoke another language to her friends or the teachers code-switching outside of class or on the phone, the difference is that they are able to turn their Proper English on and off. The students and adults interviewed in this clip were aware of the importance of Proper English in getting a job or advancing after education.
     To me, the videos were similar but also very different. It was clear to me which depicted a deficit and which showed cultural differences.

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