Saturday, October 14, 2006


We're moving into a section that looks at a very interesting debate on a specific language feature: Ebonics, or African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

This debate has the ability to turn to a race discussion quickly and easily. I caution you against that right now - before you begin posting on the subject. Our discussion will not address race issues. Our discussion will instead address how this aspect of language is demonstrated in our language, its affects on the people who both use it and don't use it, and where we could go from here in the public debate. The fact of the matter is that Ebonics exists and no amount of well-intentioned ideas will change that. Also, Ebonics is a recognized variation of Standard English - the form of the language you see in most American films, on American news programs, and in the majority of American public forums. It is not a matter of not being able to speak Standard English (i.e. speaking Ebonics has nothing to do with the speaker's intelligence), it is not genetic, it is not merely slang.

The debate is currently focused on the use of Ebonics in schools - more specifically on whether or not teachers who have Ebonics speakers in their classrooms should teach strictly Standard English or if using Ebonics as a teaching tool in the classroom would be effective use of language. One side of the debate says that students should be expected to speak only Standard English because it is the language of the empowered in our country. The other side says that in using Ebonics to teach other things, among those Standard English, students would learn better and more efficiently. The debate continues and extends to music, politics, job prospects - you name it.

For your response, first read this article for some additional background information and alternate points of view. Then respond directly to the article. Make sure you mention something specific directly out of the article. Do you agree with the statement? Do you disagree? Is this new information to you? Does this help clear up some questions for you? What questions are you left with?