Ebonics a language, lack of Education or just cool?

Hi guys welcome to 1994

Also: RACISTS

The old view of ebonics or African American dialect was that it represented an improper or less complex form of speech than Standard English. Current research suggests that African American dialects are complex language systems with their own predictable grammatical rules and unique idioms. I can get you references if you want.

Is this Jamaica? My only trouble with this is that it seems to promote a grammatical breakdown. I see this crossing cultures and geography. It is not local dialect thanks to MTV and other entities. I am sorry but I have to disagree with the assertion that this is colloquial. I see teens using it (all races) because it's cool. This ebonics advent cannot be pinned on a locality. It's pervasive.

Blake, although thank you for FINALLY having an anonymous poll, this is a classic example of posting a biased poll which uses leading answers, similar to Anshe's spy vendor poll the other day. This is a dangerous topic to get into, because the thread is going to go to hell. I will say this. Ebonics is considered a patois, or a regional dialect. It is not a formal language, but is a dialect born out of the use of slang and intermixing words from other languages.

It is important that its existence is recognized, as its use is pervasive in certain circles and can have a detrimental effect on education if sensitivity is not shown to it. If you are raised in an environment where proper english is rarely spoken, and ebonics is all that a child knows, they can be at a severe disadvantage in school. It can certainly be overcome, but it does require awareness of it. It is not spoken from a lack of education, but for cultural reasons generally. However, a bunch of suburban kids affecting the speech pattern because they think it is cool is different than the realities of its use in various communities where it is prominent.

I am not sure why you would ask such an inflammatory question, but be prepared for the outcome.

I think alot of diverse cultures have at one time spoken Ebonics. Any culture can have a "Slang" which they use. But there is none so prominant as Ebonics as far as comming this close to an actual language that I know of. Since so many use it, and how predominant it has become in America; this poll is only based on how the majority view it here.

I grew up in Black Schools, I don't see it as necessarily being a dialect based on the environment you grew up in, but; as a dialect you choose in communicating with those you want and relate too. The question is to be realistic, is this dialect helping the culture to excell in Public Service, or is it restricting them? This is a touchy subject yes, however; with the predominance of it will it and or has it been accepted in the mainstream of Government? The reason this is a valid question is, take a look at most political leaders of this culture, example Colon Powell; would he be where he is today if he spoke that dialect as a mainstream of communication?

So I presented the question for you to answer and consider and to see how the majority view it.

ok Im gonna pretend this poll is a serious one...

Ebonics isn't a language for one simple reason

it's a dialect.

Like in Iron Chef's post... He mentions regional differences within the American dialect of English...


Having said that.....
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da din chiney mon gots goin tu dah shop, heez trinken da wan bareel

try and decipher that dialect of English

I <3 Angie's brain

I agree. Also check out, if you are a fan of well constructed rap, Deltron 3030, aaaiight?
I especially think you would enjoy it, Torley.

Examples:
[DEL]
"300 Newtons,
crush you like croutons,
that's you and you son"

"Underground chillin' with the mole man
And his whole fam
Inhibit bacterial growth, material growth
Impenetrable, incontestable
Indigestible intelligence
NEVER let a computer tell me SHIT"
[/DEL]

I agree Ironchef .. and really can't believe this thread has continued . I am a Black Woman (Surprised) I bet you are .. and I neither appreciated the poll nor this racist thread .. I'm a very educated individual ( you know, Human Being with some color) .. I decided not to post to ignorance, but to just agree with Iron.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes !!

Rather than vote, I am going to respond to the question you posed.

Slang has been around since I can remember; Dating back to "groovy, super, that's hip, neato, etc." Would you poll people from that era in the same manner as well After all, slang is slang, no matter who uses it. I believe the word 'bitch' was around before Christ, and is derogatory language, not slang. I view slang as a temporary rebellion against a very structured and proper language, which is English, or just a way for people to let their hair down and relax. For different people, or races, it may be used for different reasons. Some use it out of mockery, some use it because they haven't been taught any better (this is very true in SOME cases), and some use it for fun. I'm a native New Yorker, and I hear slang being used by ALL levels of society, so it's not restricted to one particular reason, as to why.

I often hear young Caucasian school kids conversing, in all seriousness using the same slang that a few posters gave their opinions that 'blacks' speak slang, not to mention, some even call each other niggah. It doesn't bother me one bit. Though Blake asked this as a general question, I saw immediately where someone else responded, to loan credence to the stereotype that slang is an 'African American thing' or rap thing, even though he did not mention 'rap' or 'African American' in his question lol *sigh* ah well. Make no mistake that even some of the poorest people have an education, and speak VERY well.

It is 'my' opinion that people FEAR what they cannot understand. If the theory is that African Americans use slang more than others, then perhaps you can view it like this.....Unlike most ethnicities who have their own languages from the countries they were born in or that was passed down to them from their families who teach them their native tongue, black Americans who were born here don't....well some don't. Maybe they want something that belongs to them. It could be their own way of communicating like everyone else has. I'm a black American, who is not underprivileged, with a degree, and I use slang sometimes as well. Big deal. It doesn’t take away from who I am. Only an ass would go on an interview speaking slang.

No matter how rich, educated, stupid or poor a person is, we're all going to depart from this earth one day. Knowledge is not power. Wisdom is power. Words do not move me, as much as one’s actions do. Peace (universal)

I love my Sister Sahara.. *Tight Hugsssssssssssssssssssss*

Refer to my original post above. "our" meaning all of us. For those that want to label it Racist they will do so. This post is simply mean't to show how it can be miscontrued in the mainstream and as to the reasons why in certain situations..example: Interviews, as posted by Sahara, there is a time and place for everything. I am not going to dwell on a Racist issue. Any issue in regards to cultures get twisted into this scenario. Learn from the issues. This topic can easily bloom into a big Mountain out of a Molehill, just like any other issue does in the forums concerning contreversy. Hell, people in this forum get on people for mis-spelling words. If you even compare this to religion in some other posts in comparison to the replies..it's a good thing there are no Jews here for those of you that make fun of Christianity, because religion is a very strong cultural belief among them. Some get offended..others don't.

Don't take an issue out of context and do not assume an issue is based on Racism where there is non, only Polls to show perceptions of people and why these perceptions exist.

To learn about various issues and how they effect others is knowledge, and knowledge is the Key to Wisdom.

So um Blake *Eyebrow raised* why do you post topics like this if you know the *Molehill* will become infected ....

Show me a serious post that hasn't? Does that mean we should be Surpressed into not learning? To become more intelligent and to be able to work through how others see us and why we have War? I think the thing is to understand these perceptions and understand each other as to avert War in the future..and the future at this time does not look promising. How we percieve Muslims in general and how they percieve us..and how both sides can take it to extremes, as you can see the results of replies of some of these posts. IF we do not gain knowledge and resolved in finding answers to these questions as to avoid destruction of the human race in time..we may one day be too late.

Muslims? War? I know you make an annoying habit out of multiple insensitive and moronic polls, but are you getting good enough at it to not even remember what polls you are replying to?

Great reply and if I didn't read this :

and this:

I said, "Did the question ask for an example" that's when I knew this was not as it seemed in terms of wanting to get an education in different cultures. If you ask a question in a correct manner you will receive more intelligent responses. Then the ignorant responses will stand out like a sore thumb

It is more insensitive to close your eyes on truth than to rationalize reality.

It is more moronic to perceive truth as annoying than to address it and make a difference.

Ignorance is a sharp edge sword which stabs us all in the back with Cultural divide, not only in this Nation but with all Nations around the World. We must understand why this is happening and how we can avoid destruction.

I cannot be more simplistic than this.

This will be my last reply to this Thread as I think we have learned a valuable lesson.
And you have answered your own question. This is a lack of education of all people around the world, not just one Culture, but all. To inquire and to understand anothers culture and respect their feelings, beliefs and their desire to be recognized as a culture and be respected. Not perceiving ignorance, but rather understand that we all deep down want to be loved not only by our own cultures; but recognized for our achievements and how to communicate to one another no matter what language or dialect.

Pre-Judgement is not the key to Wisdom, only the path to destruction.

People who are claiming this is a racist thread are the racist people themselves. I dont know much about Blake, but I dont think anywhere in this thread did he mention a race. Plenty of white, hispanic and asian kids these days speak in ebonics themselves.

You people are the ones who are trying to cover up a feeling you have with in yourselves. It reminds me of comedy clubs in rich suburbs. A really funny african american comedian will be there telling jokes about his own race. But all the white folks are affraid to laugh, they look around and make sure it is ok first. You can see the discomfort in their eyes.

LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE.......

Now to answer the question, ebonics is no more a language than Bostonians saying "Paak the Caar"

Sorry, I had to add that bit in

The nature of the topic is inherently racist, although not overtly (I don't know Blake enough to label him a racist). A language? Lack of education? Just cool? The simplistic nature of the choices in and of themselves marginalize the issue with racist undertones.