Orginial: In these examples, Smitherman blends the types of terms we expect in scholarly writing like “oral tradition” and “fundamental vehicle” with Black vernacular phrases like “gittin ovah.” She even blends the standard English spelling of words with African American English variants like “dem” and “ovah” in a way that evokes how some speakers of African American English sound. Some might object to these unconventional practices, but this is precisely Smitherman’s point: that our habitual language practices need to be opened up, and that the number of participants in the academic conversation needs to be expanded.
Informal version: In these examples, Smitherman mixes fancy words like "oral tradition" and "fundamental vehicle" with cool phrases like "gittin ovah." She even uses different spellings like "dem" and "ovah" to sound like how some people talk. Some folks might not like it, but that's exactly what Smitherman wants: to shake things up and include more people in academic conversation.
Formal version: In these examples, Smitherman combines scholarly terms such as "oral tradition" and "fundamental vehicle" with Black vernacular expressions like "gittin ovah." She even incorporates African American English variants, like "dem" and "ovah," to capture the phonetic qualities of certain speakers. While some may raise objections to these unconventional practices, Smitherman's intention is to challenge established language norms and promote inclusivity within the academic discourse.
Blended version: In these examples, Smitherman skillfully intertwines scholarly language, such as "oral tradition" and "fundamental vehicle," with the vibrant phrases of Black vernacular, like "gittin ovah." Additionally, she artfully incorporates African American English variants, such as "dem" and "ovah," to authentically capture the cadence and sound of specific speakers. Although some individuals may express reservations about these unorthodox practices, Smitherman's underlying message is to disrupt conventional language patterns and foster a more inclusive academic dialogue.
