Blog 4

In the article The Place of World Englishes in Composition: Pluralization Continued by Suresh Canagarajah he brings up some interesting points about English and how we classify native and non native speakers. The main focus of the article is recognizing that there is an issue with the way we currently recognize the english language, and Suresh proposes some solutions on how we can change our view of the English language. 

The whole idea of English becoming a globalized language is clear to see. English is present in places like Nigeria, and SriLanka. Suresh, although he grew up speaking English his entire life, some still classify him as a non-native English speaker. Because of this Suresh challenges those who believe he isn't a native English Speaker. He proposes that because people grow up bilingual (code switching) that they should judge them in terms of competence. Proposing levels like expert and novice English speakers. I thought this was a god idea because of todays diversity, it recognizes that students have their own form on English, and that they are still equipped with the tools to communicate effectively. 

The next point that Suresh brings up was Local Englishes and how they are traveling via media outlets. Suresh states CNN, MTV, and Hollywood as a whole are responsible for the traveling of Local Englishes, this means that the "standard American English" can be viewed and analyzed by bilingual watchers helping them assimilate. Suresh notes that it is not the bilingual student who should assimilate, but instead the English Language should become a plural language or a multinational language. 

Which brings me to my next point, Suresh goes into detail about how native based English classes or standard English classes are generally useless to students in their everyday lives. Suresh talks about how the internet can serve as constructive and developmental place. The internet is forum where different Englishes mingle freely. This helps students connect with other students of the same diverse English language. Sometimes students can feel as if their English in the classroom is adequate making them feel lesser than their peers, however on the internet they can freely interact with the global speech community (as Suresh calls it). 

Suresh makes it clear that focusing on native English isn't effective, and that it is more important to focus on "real world" situations in which students will communicate. Suresh argues that social interaction is where the learning process flourishes. His focus is developing students ability to shuttle between languages rather than assimilating to the local language. He also argues that native speakers should be able to do the same, being open to different forms of English. Suresh states that multilingual speakers make accommodations for other multilingual speakers and this process is more intuitive. 

To conclude my analysis of The Place of World Englishes in Composition: Pluralization Continued I agree that native speakers can be less skillful when making accommodations for multilingual speakers. The ideas Suresh has about English becoming a multinational language are backed with solid evidence. He challenges the idea of native English speakers being just those who are born and raised speaking the English language in a country where English is the only or main language.