NLA Discussion: Plain English

[Janet Isserlis]

The conversations about the ranges and possibilities of all kinds of
language have been interesting on a number of levels.

I'm reminded of a conversation I had with a colleague in Toronto several
years ago.  This colleague, while working at a very grassroots level with
practitioners,  acknowledged that for some, (as has been stated here) a
more abstract level of language is needed to convey particular ideas and
concepts.  She had no problem with people engaging in whatever level of
discourse they needed to express what they had to say.

She did point out, however, that it was interesting that these (mostly
male) writers are on the whole well paid, secure university professors,
while many others, engaged in the same realm of work,  are underpaid and
undervalued front line literacy workers.

Is our work of lesser value when it isn't sanctioned by the academy?

I know it's a potentially cheap shot, but something to think about.

Janet Isserlis