Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 7.01 Language
Presentation #1 Title
Exploring the Cultural Heritage of Appalachian Rhetoric
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
My paper will consider how features of early Celtic rhetoric, imported by the Scotch-Irish, are influencing how modern Appalachians speak and write; in doing so, I argue that Appalachian dialects and rhetoric are no less products of historical and cultural factors than other American varieties. Scotch-Irish immigrants in Appalachia had an influence on mountain life that is, according to Stevan R. Jackson, “undeniable and pervasive” (30). Yet there has been little said about what this means for how we as Appalachians communicate, as well as how our rhetoric is valued (or not valued) by others. From my experience as a writing instructor at community colleges and universities, I have found that few of my mostly non-Appalachian colleagues interpret Appalachian language and writing styles as anything other than incorrectness or misunderstandings of academic writing conventions. The root of this misinterpretation, I contend, stems from a failure to see Appalachian dialects as formed by anything other than ignorance; educators too often fail to see Appalachian rhetoric as having a cultural heritage and history. My concern is that, in failing to recognize and value our rhetorical heritage in the classroom, writing teachers can damage students' senses of community and self-esteem, as well as deny Appalachia any role in contributing to America's diversity. Works Cited Jackson, Stevan R. “Peoples of Appalachia: Cultural Diversity Within The Mountain Region.” A Handbook to Appalachia. Ed. Grace Toney Edwards, et al. Knoxville: U of Tennessee P, 2006. Print.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Amanda Hayes is a PhD candidate in rhetoric and composition at Ohio University. Her focus is on Appalachian rhetoric and classroom pedagogy.
Exploring the Cultural Heritage of Appalachian Rhetoric
My paper will consider how features of early Celtic rhetoric, imported by the Scotch-Irish, are influencing how modern Appalachians speak and write; in doing so, I argue that Appalachian dialects and rhetoric are no less products of historical and cultural factors than other American varieties. Scotch-Irish immigrants in Appalachia had an influence on mountain life that is, according to Stevan R. Jackson, “undeniable and pervasive” (30). Yet there has been little said about what this means for how we as Appalachians communicate, as well as how our rhetoric is valued (or not valued) by others. From my experience as a writing instructor at community colleges and universities, I have found that few of my mostly non-Appalachian colleagues interpret Appalachian language and writing styles as anything other than incorrectness or misunderstandings of academic writing conventions. The root of this misinterpretation, I contend, stems from a failure to see Appalachian dialects as formed by anything other than ignorance; educators too often fail to see Appalachian rhetoric as having a cultural heritage and history. My concern is that, in failing to recognize and value our rhetorical heritage in the classroom, writing teachers can damage students' senses of community and self-esteem, as well as deny Appalachia any role in contributing to America's diversity. Works Cited Jackson, Stevan R. “Peoples of Appalachia: Cultural Diversity Within The Mountain Region.” A Handbook to Appalachia. Ed. Grace Toney Edwards, et al. Knoxville: U of Tennessee P, 2006. Print.
