Does the word “correct” have any relevance beyond the context of standard forms of English?
Moore notes Labov’s assertion that “standard dialects are invested with correctness and superiority rather than being correct and superior in themselves”.
From: Teaching Multicultured Students. By Alex Moore.
hi
You very well know it does. The correct way to do just about anything, from laser surgery to sleeping patterns. :roll:
Or should I even question the correctness or incorrectness of your leading question.
You seem to be being a bit cryptic today, Stew. What’s the question?
The source of my query is here:
I found it a bit of an odd statement.
Hi
I don´t have to pose questions to add to a debate. And why not include the thread in your posed statemtn/question in the first place.
Threads can diverge if authors are non-specific, innit? :?
I asked it as a question. It was my choice to do so. If you’d like to spend the next 30 posts talking more about my posting style than the topic, I’m not going to play.
For the sake of discourse analysis and ESL learning, I will say this though:
Many 3 part dialogues, based on mulling over and/or reacting to a statement one has heard, often go like this:
A: Does the word “correct” have any relevance beyond the context of standard forms of English?
B: It may do. Why do you ask?
A: Well, I heard this statement and it got me thinking ‘I’m not sure the word “correct” has any relevance, beyond the context of standard forms of English.’
B: Hm, I see. Well, let’s discuss it, shall we?
Now, moving on.
Hi Molly
Who is moody now? :?
But then again is moody a style of posting? hmmmmm
I guess your style isn´t to criticize, is it.
It’s around 23º here at the moment. Sunny. How’s your weather? Stormy? Stew, have a nice day. 
It’s a wonderful thought.
MrP
Where did Molly write that?
I was reading your post through rose-tinted spectacles.
MrP
Erm, right.
Anyway, glad you’ve joined us. Will you tell us why you wrote this? What did you mean by it? Can you expand on it?
Or standard forms of other languages.
MrP
Yes, fine, but why aren’t you ‘sure the word “correct” has any relevance, beyond the context of standard forms of English’? What makes you feel that way?
Do you have an example where the word “correct” does have relevance, beyond the context of standard forms of English?
MrP
Mr P, don’t you know why you made the above statement? If you do know, why are you reticent to share your doubts on whether ‘the word “correct” does have relevance, beyond the context of standard forms of English’?
Is it difficult for you to share your intention in posting such a statement?
I made the statement because I couldn’t think of a non-standard context in which the word “correct” had relevance. But if you doubt the statement, you presumably can think of such a context. That’s why I asked you to provide one.
MrP
So are you saying that “correct” cannot, in your use of the word, be applied to non-standard forms? If that’s what you’re saying, why are you saying it?
Anyway, let’s humour you and give you an example.
The correct way to say “Where are you?” in Newfoundland English , for example, would be “Where ya to?”, as far as I understand. If I were to say “Where to ya?” in that context, I’d be using the expression incorrectly, right? Someone would be justified if he said to me “No, that’s incorrect. The correct form is…”, wouldn’t he?
Another example.
“Yous guys are all wrong” is what you would call non/sub-standard, right? But the people who use it in context would feel it’s the correct form to use in their social context, right? It’s correct uasge for that context, isn’t it?
Can you think of a non-standard context in which the word “incorrect” has relevance?
You misunderstand the meaning of “correct”, in the context of standard English, and the meaning of “relevance”, in the context of my reply.
I notice you’ve posted this question on various sites; but of the replies I’ve seen so far, this one, by Forbes at English Forums, is the best:
(Forbes is an astute character.)
MrP
If incorrect, there.
Well I have asked many times you to explain. Please, tell us the meaning of “correct” and of “relevance” that you are using and how these fit together with your statement here.