The different variations of English we have been talking about are much more than just slang. Much of it has had an origin in slang, but it has definitely evolved into more than that. When I think about slang, I think one of the most important characteristics of it is that it can only be understood by a smaller part of society. But, when you have an obviously different form of English that can be used and understood by other speakers of varied English it is its own variety.
I don't see how Ebonics or Spanglish (or any other variation) is any different from a "Chicago accent" or "California accent". In that they are all altered forms of English pronunciation and syntax that the speakers have modified to meet their individual communication needs. Aren't they? If not, then why should there be a standard American English that is separate from standard British English?
Any variation has its own standards and rules that need to be used when speaking. Without even thinking about it we all apply a set of rules, that are different from textbook grammar rules, to our own language. Then when we hear another variation of English being spoken it sounds wrong.
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i agree with the idea that Spanglish and Ebonics can be applied to the same category as a chicago accent. They are all speaking the same standard American english, just adapting it for thier own group they associate with. Which does bring into question of British and american enlgish. Technically, are we just another form of slang from the british english? It probably depends on who you are talking to- whether american or british.
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