Revisiting the textbook: linguistic variation and language teaching

Abstract

The linguistic variation was absent in the Portuguese pedagogic teaching proposal for a long time. Due to the teaching democratization, which began in the sixties, the researchers’ needed to initiate a discussion concerning the phenomenon in the educational ambit. This paper is a retaking of previous research, accomplished by Cecílio (2002), concerning the linguistic variation presented in textbooks (1996, 1998, 1999) from 5th to 8th grades elementary school, adopted in public schools in Paraná state. At this time, we revisited and analyzed the didactic collection “Língua Portuguesa: rumo ao letramento” (GUSSO; FINAU, 2002) aimed at observing the approach it gives to the linguistic variation. We concluded the textbooks present significant progress concerning our focus of analysis. The authors really take into account the discussions and academic researches concerning linguistic variation, and above all, they privilege reflecting on the phenomenon, which is always current and present in the society. At any time have we noticed stereotyped and prejudiced visions of the language, neither the concept of right x wrong that just emphasizes the educated variety and underestimates the others.