Post 1: “Should Writers Use They Own English” Reflection

Vershawn Ashanti Young definitely brought up an interesting point with his article. I realized that even though writers have different styles, there basically is only one vernacular in our written language. I see why it would be practical to have everyone write in a similar way, but I also see how it definitely could suppress the true voices of marginalized people.

Since high school, writing the way I write has felt like second nature to me. I never really felt the need to question how I write because my writing is very much related to how I normally talk in person. Growing up in a half Chinese, half White household, my mom always stressed the importance of using proper grammar when I speak. Whenever I used “like” too much or used slang, she would correct me. It's what she learned from her parents when she grew up in this country. Although I think times have changed now, using “proper” English was very much necessary for my Chinese side of the family to move up in the world. Now, a couple of generations down, I talk like most of the people around me.

That being said, I remember constantly in high school running into problems with my writing because I wrote too informally and “conversation-like”. I found it more enjoyable to project my own voice when I write, however, this mentality was often not what was wanted. While there definitely is an importance to formal writing, this article helped me appreciate my own voice when I write. I’m genuinely excited to have a space where I know I can speak and write in whatever way that gives meaning to my work.