What I Think and Feel about Ebonics
by Jean J. Lee
Have you
heard of the word “Ebonics”? Ebonics can be interchangeably used with another
term African American Vernacular English (AAVE), especially among Creolists
(e.g., Rickford & Dillard) who believed that AAVE were strongly connected
to African origins. In other words, Ebonics were viewed as a normal and
uniquely separate language which has its own linguistic system. (e.g.,
phonological features such as /r/ deletion or monophthongizing the diphthongs,
morphological features such as zero-copula). This belief can be called “autonomy”,
which refers to the language user’s subjective feeling that their language
(i.e., Ebonics, here) is different from other languages. In this sense, they
argue that Ebonics/ AAVE is not a substandard variety or dialect of English.
With this assertion in mind, there was an effort to teach Ebonics in the
classroom as a “linguistically and pedagogically sound” (Wardhaugh, 2002)
language.
However, I
would like to present several reasons why Ebonics can hardly be classified as a
separate normal language. According to Wardhaugh (2002), “language refers to
either a single linguistic norm or to a group of norms, and dialect refers to
one of the norms”. In other words, a language is a unitary linguistic system
which can be subdivided into various mutually intelligible varieties. As
well-aware, Ebonics and Standard English (SE) are mutually intelligible, which
means that although many linguistic features seemed to be regarded as unique to
Ebonics, they are closely related to SE and lots of basic core rules are almost
the same as SE. To put it in a different way, Ebonics has limited functions
compared with the full-fledged functions and forms of SE (i.e., considerable
restrictions in use or reduction in grammar). Furthermore, language is
considered to have higher status than dialects do in terms of power
relationship. The second reason for Ebonics’ being a dialect (not a language)
is that it is not a standardized version of language variety. That is, according
to many scholars’ assertions, Ebonics is not a language spoken by people who
have social power in terms of education or publication of codified grammar
handbooks or dictionaries. (**Personally, I beg to differ on this point. I believe
this is a VERY DANGEROUSLY GENERALIZED OR BIASED OPINION!!!)
Since SE is
still an empowered language variety, which has become the winner in a struggle
for sociopolitical and socioeconomical struggle for dominance, Ebonics cannot
be regarded as a full standardized language with higher or equivalent social
power.
Regardless of
whether Ebonics is considered a standard or nonstandard form of language, my
appreciation for AAVE has never wavered. This is precisely why I hold Alice
Walker and Toni Morrison in such high regard. For reasons I can scarcely
articulate, there is something deeply comforting and inviting in the way they
use English, both in writing and in speech.
Peace out. Imma
holler at you later.
Very interesting..I agree
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading. 😉
ReplyDelete