topic one: language and power

I am responding to the first topic on the relationship between power and language. I have a different perspective on this issue than I think Delpit does. I work with toddlers with Autism so I see the power of language in its very basic form. Our kids are often without any means to communicate. Our first goal is simply to teach a child to express him/her self. If gestures and unintelligible jargon is the only result then we are successful. Teaching a child to communicate effectively should be the most important aspect of being a teacher. I believe the community should have a say in what kind of language is central to that child’s future, but the child needs to have the last word. Regardless of what we tell children is the “right” language, children will succeed if they are confident.
Jessye Saemenes