i had no problem with spending time talking about Ebonics in class. not a fan of it by any means but i respect ones view and opinion of it's existence.

language is our way of communicating therefore it should be something to be proud of and not something you can manipulate as you please. By the opening of our mouths we are able to identify someone comes from and their educational background. we should all value our grammar not as a set of rules but as a mean to establish a common ground so everyone can enjoy a well spoken conversation without the fear of hurting someones feelings because the content of a word was taken out of content.

black english

I like the discussions on black english. It is a different culture than what I am used to and it's cool to not just read it, but to try to understand it and see where they are coming from. Black english is just one different language variety here in the United States, and although it is a major one, it is just as interesting to learn about as the many other varieties we have. I think it helps to open all our eyes to the broader world around us so we are not just thinking inside our little safe box. Continuing on with the class calendar the way it is will keep us discussing many other language varieties and issues that are not discussed in other classes many of us have.

Should We Continue Studying Black English...?

Like Brandon, I can't say that I'm either in favor of or against further study of Black English. I do think that it is a relevant topic of study because it has emerged as a mainstream variation of English and is something that we should be familiar with. I also find the etymology of Black English interesting because the origin of this particular variation of English is with individuals (slaves) brought to America against their will and forced to learn an entirely different language very frequently without any formal education. They learned to communicate with the native English speakers by picking up phrases, but not neccessarily correct grammar and eventually, as their native African was lost from regular usage, they used these phrases with their invented grammar to communicate with one another. I'm reminded of the tap code used by the Vietnam War POWs while they were incarcerated and that may make an interesting topic of discussion for class; methods of communication that were invented out of neccessity.



My primary point is, I think we should continue with the Black English readings on the curriculum, unless the majority of the class says otherwise.

In favor of!

To be completely honest, I'm not really sure where people saw that we have covered too much Black English. We have read a few articles, of course, on the subject, but I think that's all. We've breezed over it throughout the course, but as a class, I don't think we have actually just gotten together and discussed the subject in depth. Personally, I would love to devote class time to talking about what Black English really is, the major controversies now, and what this language vernacular says about the community as a whole. A few weeks ago we read one article in particular (I don't recall the title, but it was written by a professor at Stanford I think.) that had really pushed my button. When the class for that day came, it wasn't even mentioned.

A few of the other bloggers alluded to the slow process Black English is making in penetrating different social spheres. It's possible that maybe because it's something we do see every day (tv, radio, etc), it doesn't seem like a relevant topic. Someone also mentioned that it isn't something we really encounter every day, but I think it is something we encounter all the time and because we are a part of that brand of society we don't even realize it. It may not seem, in Utah, to be very prevalent, but it is! And even so, many of us aren't from Utah (and even those that are have assuredly encountered). A large portion of our country subscribes to Black English. Shouldn't we be privy to information concerning our culture?

-B.Knee

Either, Or

I don't necessarily have a vote for or against the Black English topic. Personally I have not lost interest in the subject, but I can also think of some alternatives that would not disappoint me if we steered off course of the schedule.

I wouldn't mind further study of Black English because I find it interesting and I do not think we have gone over it "too much". Black English is surely one of the most obvious examples of how language in society actually works. Even in Utah, Black English infiltrates into our language through; radio, music, movies, television and internet. It undeniably influences everyone's language across the United States, if not well beyond those borders.

Skip mentions that we might feel somewhat alienated from it, maybe we could possibly look at Spanglish and its place in our society? I would assume that the Spanglish language variation hits much closer to our lives in Utah, than Black English might. But still, it is not like we are so far removed from it that we are not able to identify with and/or understand it at all.

Additionally, I also enjoyed the bits of discussion and reading about the texting language and how it is going to impact the language that evolves in the future. On another note Engrish.com provides some funny examples of bad language translation, among other things.

We shouldn't let it be a source of divisiveness...

... but rather a source of connection.

I believe that studying Black English is absolutely essential to our understanding of language and society, to our understanding of diversity, and to our understanding of ourselves.

Although it could be convincingly argued that I am wrong, I can't help but believe that the backlash against studying Black English in our class is the result of cultural alienation; that is to say, we (especially in Utah, where there is so little diversity in comparison to other regions) are uncomfortable approaching something that is outside of us, with which we have so little interaction, about which we draw our own proof-less conclusions, and therefore, feel no compulsion to analyze.

Black English has become such an integral part of our society - how can we not analyze it? How can we not wish to understand how it is utilized, why it is utilized?

How many of us can say we fully and completely understand how and why the "N-word" is used among Black communities, but remains a symbol - or, perhaps more accurately, a tool - of oppression for Whites?

I noted above that study of Black English is vital to understanding ourselves; I believe this because each of us, in our own ethnicity, regardless of where we originate from, are very much entrenched in American cultural, including the spectres of our past, and the racism of our present. Accordingly, we ought to, as Deleuze and Foucault would say, use the theories of Black English as a toolbox, to analyze ourselves, and to effect change where we identify it as necessary. I suppose the same could be said on a societal level, but I digress.

So, I cast my vote for continuing our studies of Black English, among other topics.

Black English

I would keep the Black English assigned reading. I feel that it is an important part of our American language. It is also important to make sure, that we can understand other ideas about language. Black English has developed, just as American Standard English has. Black English is an important part of American heritage. The readings highlight the differences between American Standard English and Black English.

Debate on Black English

Our class should adhere to the curriculum, and have the class on Black English for the following reasons:

First, I do not agree with the statement that we are spending too much time on the topic. A few readings have been on the topic; thus, saying that “we are spending too much time on Black English” is an overstatement.

The objective of the readings have been to recognize that the English Language is constantly changing and evolving. New expressions and language forms have become politically correct when it comes to writing; a process that is inevitable. Recognized as a dialect with its own set of rules and grammar, Black English’s influence on American Standard English is also inevitable. Moreover, new and innovative methods that some teachers and school districts are beginning to use, adhere to the theory shared by many linguists, that Black English is a legitimate and intelligent form of communication.

Although there are many English dialects, African American Vernacular English is the closest to home; therefore, it is worth studying and becoming more familiar with it. It is a language spoken not only by the black community, but also by whites, Hispanics and Asians.
Spoken by several ethnic groups, Black English transcends cultural differences, and this being a diversity class, I believe it is a topic worth covering and worth understanding. Besides, learning diversity is only possible if our class discussion involves people of diverse background.

Black English’s resistance to assimilation into American Standard English has been the consequence of cultural and historical differences between some ethnic groups. To a certain degree, understanding those differences, including the spoken language, is a step toward non-discriminatory practices and changes in negative attitudes towards specific groups.

At last, incorporating black English into the educational system is a topic of major controversy among experts and linguists.


Jairo Toro

Black English

I have liked the lectures that have been focused on black english. I beleive since this is a diversity class it is benefitial to talk about all aspects of english. At the same time I can see how some people can be getting tired of it. These lectures on black english have opened my eyes to the way that many of us speak. I have noticed this in speech and through writing. I think that we should continue on with the planned schedule for thursday. I have been interested in the topic and feel that I have learned quite a bit. There is always goign to be a certain topic that something doesn't like or find beneficial. Tough it out and take what you can from the lecture.

Discussion about schedule

Hi Everyone,

If you've not read the post below, the "Pre-Fall Break Evaluation" post, please read it first; otherwise, this isn't going to make sense.

Okay...now that you've read it.

One of the concerns that came up in the feedback forms was that we're focusing too much on Black English. On Tuesday, October 16, we are supposed to spend the day talking about different readings about Black English. I am not sure if we should do these readings or change the plan for the day.

So, what I want you to do is respond to this with your opinion on whether we should do the Black English readings or do something else. But, here's the "hard part." As you give your opinion (and you have to have one), you need to give a reason for it that is salient to our class (meaning, it has to be pertinent to what we're learning, use some of the discourse about language that we've been using, etc.).

And, if your opinion is that we should not do the Black English readings, then you need to propose something that we should do that day. You might consider what the feedback on the course evaluation said and propose something useful to address the concerns?

I will be fine with either decision. But, I would like to see as much consensus as can be built through a blog. This means that you need to read the other opinions, post your own, and then go back at a later time to see if the other posts make you reconsider, post again, and so on.

I'll read them all on Thursday morning (the 11th) before class and will let you know what it seems has been decided.

Thanks,
Tif