It should be socially acceptable for all kinds of people to speak English in different styles and forms. The typical, Eurocentric version of English should not be forced upon society as the “golden standard”, and those who do not speak this version of English, should not be shamed. No individual should be seen differently if their pronunciation was incorrect, or if they’ve put a comma in the wrong place, or if they speak in their own style, with their own slang. There are many different styles and versions of the English language, spoken by many different groups of people, but they should all socially be considered equal.

In 3 ways to speak English, Jamila Lyiscott, author, professor, spoken word poet, and social justice education scholar, delivers a spoken word poem on Ted Talk in order to bring awareness of the versatility of the English language and how all versions of it should remain equal. She promotes the idea that all forms of the English language are equal and one should not be more socially and professionally acceptable than others. Lyiscott expresses that white people have historically set the professional standard to be representative of their own form of English. So, in defense of this, Lyiscott pushed the idea that the minority’s change to the language should be given the same power and be adopted the same way that the Eurocentric version had been. Lyiscott uses subtle metaphors, powerful repetition, and logos to convince her audience that all forms of the English language should be held to the same standard, and not be seen differently simply because one does not fall under Eurocentric standards. 

Through the use of metaphors in her presentation, Lyiscott is able to show how her multiple forms of English should be acceptable in society, as equal to the language itself. Lyiscott uses the metaphor of being “trilingual”, fluent in 3 languages. She described those languages as the most conventional form of English, the next being full of slang or a more casual form of English, and lastly a more broken form of English with an accent, likely representing immigrant heritage, the most looked down upon version of English. Lyiscott uses this metaphor to claim all forms of English, even though she knows one is more socially accepted than the others, as a professional form of English. She believes that being versed in all forms of English should be a desirable trait, which is why she said she will be putting trilingual on her next job application, which is a trait that is very desirable for employers. Lyiscott sees each form of English as representative of different groups in America, ones who may not be as well versed in perfect English, instead adopting their own version because it is what they are more used to. 

Lysicott’s use of repetition in her Ted Talk made for a more powerful delivery and truly made the audience support her claim. Her constant use of the phrase “I’m articulate” showcased how she combatted someone undermining her intelligence based on the way that she spoke. The initial comment was received by a woman who had viewed her show, saying in shock that Lyiscott was “articulate” in the way she spoke. Lyiscott used that exact comment and repeated it, showing that although the woman was surprised Lyiscott was so well spoken, presumably comparing it to her appearance, she showed how she can be professional, while speaking in a more unprofessional form of English, thus proving her point that all versions should be accepted as equal. 

In her Ted Talk presentation, Lyiscott supports her claim with use of logos, specifically the historical events that minorities have experienced in America regarding Eurocentric ideals. She mentions the history of Black Americans having their culture, or specifically as Lyiscott mentions, their language, taken from them and being forced to adopt a Eurocentric language, society’s “correct” language. She uses the plight of Black people in the country as the reasoning behind why they “borrow” the English language, using it as their own and adding things to it. Lyiscott says it is no mystery as to why Black people have made their own style of English, referring to American slavery and how Black people were stripped of their own culture and forced into the American society. Additionally, she mentions racial disparities such as Black Americans being discriminated against for things like their hair. 

There are many different styles and versions of the English language, spoken by many different groups of people, but they should all socially be considered equal, and Lyiscott did an excellent job supporting that. One version of the language should not be more socially accepted than the others, especially when it is the one that has been historically forced onto different groups. But, when these groups begin to develop their own style of the language, it is looked down upon and seen as less than. All versions of the English language should be socially acceptable, and considered as equal.