Both Tom Leonard and John Agard use phonetic transcript and disregard the use of Standard English and its punctuation and grammar, mocking the use of Standard English that is used in many types of media.
Tom Leonard, in Unrelated Incidents, has written the poem as a phonetic transcript. This shows the mocking and rejecting the idea of Standard English, being named Standard English and being used in a wide range of media. This is emphasised by the fact that he is also rejecting Standard English punctuation and grammar throughout the poem, including the spelling of words and capital letters, further reinforcing the mocking of Standard English by disregarding the basics of Standard English.
John Agard too, in Half-Caste, has written the poem as a phonetic transcript, directly addressing the readers using his oral tradition and showing off his roots. Furthermore, like Unrelated Incidents, Standard English punctuation and grammar is also disregarded but shows that he can use it, showing an idea of equality. No capital letters are used for names, shown by “picasso” and “tchaikovsky”, reinforcing the idea of equality.
Both Tom Leonard and John Agard use their own dialectical words and phrases showing that they value their language in following their roots and showing that all accents are equal.
Tom Leonard uses dialectical words and phrases throughout Unrelated Incidents showing his confidence is using his non-standard accent and dialect, showing power and mocking the way people are characterised by the way they speak. Dialectical words and phrases such as “coz”,”scruff” and “belt up” proves this. Using his own dialectical words and phrases shows that he is confident in portraying the message of all accents are equal and that all accents are able to convey the truth. Readers will adopt his voice his voice and accent when reading the poem, showing power.
In Half-Caste too, John Agard has used dialectical words and phrases throughout the poem, mocking the attitudes of people who call him “half-caste”. Dialectical words and phrases such as “yu”, “rass” and “mih” shows his strength and confidence in being able to define the meaning of ‘half-caste’, actually meaning ‘dual-heritage’ and challenging society’s view of ‘half-caste’.
Both poets repeat specific words and phrases in their poems to get their message across and present their ideas.
Tom Leonard catches the reader’s attention by referring to them as “scruff” in Unrelated Incidents. People would call the speaker a “scruff” because of his accent but he’s calling the reader a “sruff” because of their accent, being very ironic and getting revenge. “Trooth” is repeated continuously too, showing that the truth to him is that all accents are equal but other people may not agree. Being repeated continuously emphasises the idea of the truth and mocks the use of “scruff”.
John Agard catches the reader’s attention by continuously asking to “explain yuself wah yu mean”, showing power, in Half-Caste. “Half” is repeated relentlessly throughout the poem, mocking the use of ‘half’ in ‘half-caste’ and using this against him as he’s two hundred per cent, not fifty which is what half means. This is mocking the way language is used thoughtlessly against people.
