Black Vernacular: Why Ebonics is a Legitimate Language!

Internet, some might say is the greatest invention mankind has seen. However, if it were not for language then Bill Gates and his associates would not have been able to communicate and share ideas and information on the topic. Language is a primary factor to humanities existence. It is through different dialects and varieties in which we preserve our richest parts of culture and distinguish ourselves from one another. In America the Black Vernacular is a key illustration of how influential and critical language can be to the progression of a race yet alone an entire nation.

We begin with the notable dialect known as Gullah which is still spoken through some parts of the U.S. such as South Carolina and Georgia. Many varieties of the Black Vernacular are preserved through geographical location. Gullah “is without a doubt the most distinctive English dialect in North America” (Johnson 417). During to the Atlantic salve trade Africans were permanently disconnected from their tribes and villages. After being captured Africans were integrated in holding cells and on the boats with members of completely different languages- a strategy to prevent uprisings. This resulted in the formation of a number of English Pidgin languages in the U.S. “enslaved Africans also had to develop, literally from scratch, a means of communicating with each other and with the Indians in whose villages they often sought refuge and solace” (Johnson 1).

Studies have just recently opened in the past 50 years but it is clear the black vernacular has been around for more than 300 years. Some of the older generation alive today may refer to their version of the black varieties as Jive. This form of speech was influential in the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem renaissance is a prime example of how language can be a culturally sensitive aspect. The lingo was used by musicians, artist and entertainers throughout Harlem in the 1920’s and 1930’s. One of the most notable influences would be the Hepster’s Dictionary; the language reference book for the Jive variety. The movie Airplane which made it to the wide screen in 1980 highlighted Jive talk through a variety of comical references.

The evolution of the Black vernacular has left its traces in many different aspect of the black culture. Traces surface of black vernacular are found in our everyday lives; from music to television to comedy. Through these channels of media many black Americans have been influenced due to the constant use of Ebonics. Is the black vernacular Ebonics nothing more than slang? What is slang? In the Merriam-Webster dictionary slang is defined as “an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words or facetious figures of speech.

In 1996 America witnessed the controversial debate regarding “Ebonics” as a language of its own. Surprisingly many prominent Black leaders such as Jesse Jackson and Bill Cosby opposed “The Oakland resolution”. It has been portrayed throughout the country as broken and careless English. “The removal of the word Black in favor of using the term Ebonics maybe a result of many Black speakers of SAE who desperately wanted to separate themselves from the dialect”(Billings 79). Some suggest it is an excuse for the real problems that lurk below the surface in the black community. Many of these critics have failed to recognize Ebonics as a language when in fact it posses many of the factors which resemble more to a language than a dialect. These tend to be the biased opinions of those who are uninformed on sociolinguistics.

A bill was introduced in congress to outlaw the use of federal funding to support Ebonics programs. Some may view this as an act to continue to allow black students to fail in schools. Students from several different ethnicities other than African American receive additional assistance through federal funding, why shouldn’t the child who is fluent in another language variety receive the same assistance. The implementation of the Oakland resolution speaks in volumes outside the linguistic realm. The Oakland resolution seemed to be constructed to give African American students in the Oakland area a fighting a chance to eventually compete for jobs and attend college.

It wasn’t until I attempted to learn a second language that I recognized my ignorance to my first; the only language that I have ever expressed my thoughts or communicated in. The verb to be tends to be the most stressed dynamic in the beginning stages of learning a language. It may take the comparison of two different languages to understand and identify where students lack in understanding linguistics.

Is there such a thing as being lazy when it comes to the dynamics of language? In some cases as with my peers and me, “Ebonics” is used more as a careless slur of SAE on random occasions. But in other region of America such as Oakland people use “Ebonics” all throughout their speech rarely code switching to SAE. The amount of contact in which one has with the different varieties is a determining factor in one’s choice of speech.

The resolution was drafted in effort to make it possible for the African American Venacular known as “Ebonics” to be recognized as a part of the African Language System. This then would qualify the Oakland school district to receive federal funding. Funding is only allowed for language programs not dialects which become the argument from those on Capitol Hill. Sociolinguist McWorth “believed that using Ebonics would slow the academic progression of Oakland students” (Barnes 20); a language cannot slow academic progression rather the lack of knowledge in the use of a speech variety.

This stirred a controversial conversation throughout the country, bringing attention to educational system in the states. With the passing of this resolution some would then argue whether this now implies that it is a biological rather than sociological problem that causes poor performance in school. Because there has been no defining difference of between Ebonics and SAE other than what has been preached throughout class rooms as incorrect grammar, students have suffered academically. The lack of concern for these students may result from discrimination in the school system or because no one ever pointed out the importance of the subject. “Thomas Orwell explicitly blames the low academic achievement and consequent economic isolation of ghetto children on distractions like Ebonics” (Maraback 15).

This is an example of an opinion which clearly derives from a social standpoint and not one of clear understanding of linguistics. Ebonics can only hinder group of people only if it is perceived as incorrect or a careless resemblance of the SAE. But when in a region like Oakland where more than 60 different languages exist why the leading black vernacular shouldn’t be considered worthy of funding when these students suffer with the same limitations as any other ESOL student. “Ebonics speakers should just be more careful to avoid variability” (Palacas331), for someone to make such a statement shows the lack of concern towards the students who are battling with this issue.

One study showed that “19% of the Black Ebonics speakers language is indistinguishable from mainstream American English”(Wofford 368). At what point does a dialect or variety form a separate language of its own. What is the reason for denying one the right to use a certain form of speech in academics if it would be more conducive for the student to progress? It becomes a playing field for sociopolitics where by those who best understand linguistics are being overshadowed by those who seem to only have a critical influence on the communities.

In the draft of the resolution the case is made that Ebonics resembles African language systems. “The resolution required that Ebonics be understood as having started in Africa” (Wright 11) which cannot be seeing as how it is a form of Pidgin English which developed in the America’s due to the Diaspora. As I previously stated it is because of the separation during the capturing of slaves which forced these people to completely reestablish a new tongue. The features found in this variety resemble American English more than anything else.

Because America is a melting pot it has become necessary for the establishment of SAE. However, having a standard language does not by any means lessen the value of other varieties or is superior I any way. The purpose for SAE is so that we can all continue to use our different dialects and still find a way to communicate clearly between each other. SAE is a leveling ground for thoughts and ideas to be shared regardless of ethnicity. It is because of its users in which a language is shaped and transformed and it is through language in which different ethnicities and backgrounds find and establish a culture.

One example might be Hip-Hop, continuously we see the usage of “slang” or Ebonics through the music. In some instances Hip-Hop is arguably one of the main reasons for so much of the problems that stem in the black community, such as violence, illiteracy and the degrading of women. The songs of this genre are not always displayed in the best light. Over time is has been because of the use of certain terminology that we have seen the evolution of our culture and social advances. It can be said that Ebonics has had an effect on the way this generation views each. The infusion of Ebonics with music has made it possible for many Black Vernacular users to advance socially and economically in this country through highlighting are specific features or breaking the rules of the norm.

It is through the use of certain terms that new dynamics of life are created. Through continual use of words like bitch and hoe we find ourselves with the widespread concern for misogyny. Which had not been a issue for the black community before the emergence of Rap music. Another prime example of an influential icon that has developed a new jargon which is prevalent throughout TV shows and movies would be the world renowned Snoop Dogg. Since the beginning of his career The Dogg Father has been a lyrical pioneer with his conception of the suffix “izzle”. Snoops lingo has become the foundation to many conversations pertaining to Black Vernacular.

This contribution is in no way less worthy of recognition that the suffix “tion”. In fact the “izzle” has become such a prominent colloquium that it should be considered for official induction into SAE. The word “ain’t” is also an example of non-standard English term that is now defined in many dictionaries today.

No language variety is superior to another, therefore to claim that Ebonics is merely careless usage of SAE is to be rather obnoxious. Languages develop for many different reasons but no reason is more significant than the next. No group of speakers should have the right over another group to decide whether a particular variety is precious enough too recognized as a legitimate language. Language allows us to communicate in various way about numerous subjects so why limit the way in which one obtains information of simply exist.

Inclosing, the development of the black vernacular is one of the most unique sides to American history and progression. Despite the many negative attitudes towards the variety Ebonics, it still entitled to the same respect as any other form of speech for it is still a way for many citizens in the Oakland region and some southern states to communicate. And although some wish to ignore its significant impact, the black vernacular still manages to effect much of the black youth in America today. It is imperative that the country learn and understand the dynamics of language so that we do not find ourselves invoked in the continuous cycle of prejudice because of a lack of knowledge.

References
Barnes, Sandra L. “Ebonics and Public Awarness: who knows? Who cares?” Journal of Black Studies. Sage Publications Sep 1998. Mar 29
Billings, Andrew C. “Beyond the Ebonics Debate: Attitudes about Black and Standard American English” Journal of Black Studies. Sage Publications Sep 2005. Mar 29
Johnson, Sylvia T. “Editor’s Note: The Evolution of Ebonics” Journal of Negro Education. Winter 1998. Mar. 29
Maraback, Richard. “Ebonics: Theorizing in Public our Attitudes towards Literacy”. College Composition and Communication. National Council of Teachers of English. Sep 2001. Mar 29
Wofford, Jean.“Ebonics: A Legitimate System of Oral Communication”. Journal of Black Studies. Sage Publications. Jun 1979. Mar 29.
Wright, Richard L. “Sociolinguistic and Ideological Dynamics of the Ebonics Controversy”. Journal of Negro Education. Winter 1998. Mar 29.

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