Funga Alafia 1 : Toward Welcoming,Understanding, and Respecting African American Speakers' Bilingualism and Biliteracy |
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| Authors: | Gloria Swindler Boutte George L Johnson Jr |
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| Institution: | 1. University of South Carolina;2. South Carolina State University |
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| Abstract: | This article focuses on the development and experiences of two African American Language speakers who are on the precipice of biliteracy and bilingualism. Using a composite counterstory that integrates samples of the girls' language during daily routines as a critical race theoretical analytic tool, we examine their language virtuosity as well as their positive perceptions about AAL. Contrary to pervasive deficit perspectives and narratives about AAL, the counterstory reveals that the girls sometimes viewed Standard English (SE) as bothersome and tedious, and they actively resisted it. At other times, they embraced it when they determined using AAL instead of SE made sense. We capture aspects of their emergent biliteracy and bilingualism as they navigate between two literacies and languages. We demonstrate their transliterate and translingual confidence and proficiency. Implications for educators are included. |
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