Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Anzaldua writes that the "home" tongues are the languages spoken among family and friends; according to Gee, what type of discourse is this? Please provide an example of the differences between your particular "home" tongue and the tongue you most frequently adopt when not at "home".

“Home” tongues are the languages spoken among family and friends, of which Gee labels as the “primary discourse.” Gee states that the primary discourse is “attained through being a part of something,” that is to say ethical groups with similar cultural values such as language. It is a foundation and they vary from person to person (they also foundations for racism and classism). Beyond the primary discourse are other discourses which crucially involve social institutions beyond the family (or the primary socialization group as defined by the culture), no matter how much they also involve the family. These institutions all require one to communicate with non-intimates (or to treat intimates as if they were not intimates). These “secondary institutions” include schools, workplaces, stores, government offices, businesses, churches, and so on. These “secondary discourses” are learned through these other social institutions. But in general, these discourses, both primary and secondary, define that literacy is not only an understanding of reading and writing but also the comprehension of social practices in daily life.

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