Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g0FNTk002661; Tue, 15 Jan 2002 18:29:46 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 18:29:46 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <5.1.0.14.0.20020115152303.00a0b9c0@mail.aracnet.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Sylvan Rainwater <sylvan@cccchs.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:640] Re: Identifying and Supporting Low X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.1 Status: O Content-Length: 1419 Lines: 30 At 02:34 PM 01/14/2002 -0500, Virginia Tardaewether wrote: >Syllabification has to do with readability more than verbal language >expression, to me. My students would be insulted or think I was mentally >deficient if I left words such as syllable, conference, telephoning, >experience, discipling, visitation, etc. out of discussions. Of course, the issue isn't really the number of syllables. I once heard that the issue is more around what words are familiar. It comes down to a matter of register. For example, we have a sign on the front door of our school/office that says "Thank you for complying with our regulations." What would be so terrible about saying "Thank you for following the rules"? We so often get used to using our academic jargon without even being aware that we're exhibiting elitism (acting hi-falutin') and using language that is unfamiliar or intimidating to our students. I try at least to be aware of when I'm using that register -- and I did learn to use it in school, and often get into situations where it's quite appropriate. But when you're trying to communicate with parents, especially those with lower literacy levels, it's better to use nickel words than 50-cent words. ------------------------------ Sylvan Rainwater . sylvan@cccchs.org Adult Education Teacher and Family Literacy Program Manager Clackamas County Children's Commission . Oregon City, OR USA
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Jan 17 2003 - 14:40:53 EST