TABLE I:
What Do I Know About Culture, Communication and Language?

Directions: Circle A for each statement with which you agree or D for each statement with which you disagree.

A D 1. One's culture and one's race are usually one and the same.
A D 2. Culture consists exclusively of a group's art, music, dance, food, language and dress.
A D 3. Cultural groups are generally mutually exclusive of one another.
A D 4. Cultural traits tend to have a genetic base.
A D 5. In general, people who speak the same language are members of the same cultural group.
A D 6. People are usually aware of all of the rules of their culture.
A D 7. Culture is expressed exclusively by one's verbal behavior.
A D 8. The only significant components of one's oral language are vocabulary and rules on pronunciation and grammar.
A D 9. Standard English is the correct way to speak at all times.
A D 10. There are universal norms for acceptable communicative behavior within the United States.
A D 11. If a student violates the school's cultural or communicative norms, it is almost always the act of defiance.
A D 12. In general, speaking a nonstandard dialect suggests low cognitive development.
A D 13. Standard English has more and better structures than other varieties of English.
A D 14. Most standardized tests are based on rules of English used by individuals in all linguistic groups.
A D 15. Standard English is White English.
A D 16. In general, students from poor families do not communicate as well as those from middle-class families.
A D 17. In general, African American students do not communicate as well as White students.
A D 18. Parents who do not speak standard English should avoid talking to their children to prevent them from developing poor speech habits.
A D 19. If students are to learn standard English, they must unlearn any other variety of English that they speak.
A D 20. African American English is by definition a nonstandard variety of English.


Answers

Each statement reflects a common myth or stereotype pertaining to communication or culture. Therefore, you should have disagreed with each one.

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