Intercultural Understanding: Reconciling the Disconnection between Africans and African Americans via Language and Literature

12 Pages Posted: 26 Mar 2014 Last revised: 24 Nov 2014

See all articles by Alicia Fleming

Alicia Fleming

Indiana University Purdue University; Ivy Tech Community College

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

On the subject of reconciliation, one question comes to mind: “How can the teaching of language and literature become a viable tool in bridging the gap that exists between Africans and African Americans?” There is a disconnection that exists on both sides. In urban school districts, at least 45% of the students in Foreign Language classes are Africans and African Americans. Generally, these students (and this is generally the African American students) think that there are no existing connections in common with their own cultures. On the other hand, the African students will learn about other aspects of their cultures which they might not have known before or unwillingly circumvented. This research will focus on how the utilization of African and African American literature such as poetry in education, to teach intercultural understanding in order to repair the disconnection that has existed for decades. Students will gain a better understanding of each other’s cultures and begin to see a connection that they can relate to. It will also explore how to use the dialect changes and idiosyncrasies in African poetry and literature that might be similar to those of the African American Vernacular English, to teach the various languages spoken on the African continent.

Suggested Citation

Fleming, Alicia, Intercultural Understanding: Reconciling the Disconnection between Africans and African Americans via Language and Literature (2014). ASA 2014 Annual Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2415079

Alicia Fleming (Contact Author)

Indiana University Purdue University ( email )

United States

Ivy Tech Community College ( email )

50 W. Fall Creek Pkwy. North Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46208-5752
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
47
Abstract Views
619
PlumX Metrics