THE HISTORY AND CONTROVERSY OF EBONICS
Mention the word ebonics and you're sure to get a variety of responses ranging from a highly specialized language to slang. My purpose in writing this paper is to define ebonics, explain its history, and shed some light on the social and educational implications of this highly controversial subject. In doing so, I have been very selective in choosing my resources to provide accurate information and not simply opinion.
DEFINING EBONICS: The word ebonics is made up of two words. Ebony, which means black and phonics, which refers to sound. It is a systematic rule-governed natural speech that is consistent as any other language in sentence structure. This is referred to as syntax (Gray 1-3). What makes this speech pattern uniquely different to "so called" American Standard English is its verb tense or lack there of. An example of this can be seen in the sentence, "He is sick today." This same sentence translated in ebonics would read, "He sick today." As you can see the verb has been omitted. However, as earlier stated, this speech pattern is consistently used (Black English: Its history and role in education. 1-4). Major controversy has arisen whether or not ebonics is a separate language or simply a dialect. In doing my research I have found that most linguists take the position that ebonics is a dialect. What distinguishes dialect from language is that in dialect two speakers share most or some of the same vocabulary and is recognizable and understandable. In contrast, separate languages are present only when the inability to communicate verbally occurs (Rickford 1-3).
ARE EBONICS AND OTHER DIALECTS OF ENGLISH SIMPLY INCORRECT, SLOPPY SPEECH? American schools, particularly in the northern United States, have treated African American vernacular English or Black English as a form of language requiring remediation by speech...
More Linguistics
essays:
Grammar in Monolingual English Dictionaries - What kind of grammatical aspects/information can be found in monolingual dictionaries and why is it included
... complementation patterns of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs demands linguistic expertise. Only descriptions which are based on existing and widely used grammar of English and ... usage of words in British English and American English. The entries are very well structured, first ...
Language Development
... teaching English. Or an immersion program were children are grouped according to their first language, with teachers that speak both languages (Otto, 2010). A variety of research methods have been used to determine infants perception of speech sounds ...
Examine the relationship between spelling and pronunciation in Old and Middle English and the attempts of reforms in orthography in later periods.Evaluate the reforms.
... a standardized English, King Alfred (AD 849-899) commissioned the translation of some Latin texts into the dialect of West ...
Informative speech outline for communication's class. This is about the dangers of alcohol.
... Informative Speech Bibliography Bacon, Bruce MD. "What are the Myths vs. Facts About Alcohol & the Liver?" New York: American Liver Foundation. 2003 Hingson RW, Howland J. Comprehensive community interventions to promote health: Implications for college-age drinking problems. Journal of Studies ...
Overview of Ilokano Sentence Structures: A Minimalist Approach
... Philippine language being considered is under the Northern Philippine subgroup with an estimated 8,000,000 speakers (NSO, 20022004). This study is patterned mainly after the Tagalog Sentence Structures: Minimalist Approach of Resty ...
Comment and Translation on "Cynewulf and Cyneheard" By Katharina Moczko Essay for the Seminar "Introduction to Old English" at The University of Potsdam, Wintersemester 2003
... glossary3 of "A Guide to Old English" by Bruce Mitchell and Fred C. Robinson. 2)Old English Verbs In the Old English language verbs ...
In the 19th and 20th centuries, English emerged as the leading language in areas which have affected all aspects of society. Show how this is true by referring to three aspects
... role of English in this genre starts much earlier. The English-language character of the ... the language of the leader of the Industrial Revolution and that of the leading economic power. As a result, when new technologies brought new linguistic opportunities, English emerged as a first-rank language in ...
Comparative Analysis of Austin & Searle's Speech Act Theories
... Speech-act theory was elaborated by Austin J. L., a linguist philosopher; this theory was the reaction of Austin and his coworkers in opposition to the so-called logical positivist philosophers of language. Austin ...