November 6 This date from 1973 celebrates “Ebonics,” sometimes called Black English. This is a word which combines "ebony" and "phonics," and was intended to describe the language of people of African ancestry, of Black North America, and West African people. It emphasizes African roots and since 1996, it has been used to emphasize an independence from (standard) English.
The initial use of "Ebonics" was by the psychologist Robert Williams in a dialogue with Ernie Smith in a conference on "Cognitive and Language Development of the Black Child" in St. Louis in 1973. Two years later the word appeared within the title and text of a book edited and co-written by Williams, "Ebonics: The True Language of Black Folks." Some writers stress how the term speaks for a view of the language of African Americans as African rather than European.
The term Ebonics did not appear within the second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, published in 1989, and it was not used by linguists. The term was not popular among those who agreed with the reason for coining it. It is little used even within the Ebonics book, in which "Black English" is the far more familiar name.
John Baugh claims that the term Ebonics is used in four ways by its Afro-centric supporters. Two refer to the languages of the African Diaspora as a whole. Two others correspond to English: one "is the equivalent of Black English and is considered to be a dialect of English," the other "is the antonym of black English and is considered to be a language other than English."
In 1996, the term became widely known in America from its use by the Oakland School Board to recognize the primary language of many African American children attending school, and to help in the teaching of Standard English. Since then, Ebonics has become little more than an alternative term for African American Vernacular English, emphasizing its African roots and its independence from English.
Reference: Center for Applied Linguistics 4646 40th Street NW, Washington DC 20016-1859, Main number 202-362-0700,
[Disclaimer: I don't endorse any of the material in the video clip, but thought that it was the best out of the utube clips I saw to demonstrate Ebonics. I apologize in advance for any who may be offended as this is not my intention. If you find this blog 'offensive'' I will be more than happy to remove it. Thanks JenFad ]
I don't find the blog offensive -- sad and embarrassing come to mind, though. I grew up in da 'hood like many of us, but soon realized that what I was hearing 'round the neighborhood wasn't what I was hearing on TV. Nor at school. Nor at grocery stores. Nor in any other people's conversations. Therefore, I took to the books for clarification. And there it was. It's called PRONUNCIATION. All it took was for me stop being a sorry, lazy ass, who wouldn't even bother to speak the language the way it was meant.
It's sad when English is spoken all over the globe as first, second and even the third language of choice by many. And everyone at least makes an attempt to speak it the same. Except BLACKS IN AMERICA [-- not you all, of course].
In my home, we'd recognize a misused word the moment it's uttered. My 8 y/o has mastered the language since he was 2. It's what he's learned from being around me and his mom -- and guess what, it the same language that's heard on the evening news [or in his case, Disney Channel]. Even when he ventures out to distant relatives and/or his grandparents who speak worst than the folks in the video, he's inoculated and not influenced by this garbage language. Everyone in his circle would be floored if he ever resorted to anything close to Ebonics.
The Christians [who are mostly Black, BTW] say things like 'doing eveything neatly and in order' or something akin to being 'slovenly is a deadly sin'. Then, why is this sloven handling of their ONE AND ONLY LANGUAGE HANDLED THIS WAY and hasn't been corrected in [nearly] 400 years???
Someone, please remind me, why we are having this conversation again? We should be using this message board to gather the eagles to build more banks and securing our economic powerbase. But, NOOOOOO, we're still joking around and struggling w/basic communication skills in the 21st Century. Geez ... Absolutely embarrassing.
Friday, November 6th 2009 at 6:08PM
Craig Amos
With all due respect, Irma. None of your 'excuses' can be farther from the truth. If your 'excuses' were correct, then what they say about us being 1/3 human would be accurate.
But THAT 'excuse' couldn't be farther from the truth.
Friday, November 6th 2009 at 8:03PM
Craig Amos
Irma, you are an old senile negro that is the mindset that rejects the abilities of Our Leader President Baraka Hussein Obama--and all of us that succeed. You represent the crab in a bucket on Chesapeake Bay. Our President and many of us move easily anywhere we go in the world. We do not Need an excuse, like Racialism, to succeed. We are not victims; We are Men that have long ago realized that Racialism is IGNORANCE and Our Mother taught us BETTER. Anyone can defeat IGNORANCE and make America, and our communities places where Intelligent human beings live and develop.
Ebonics is trash.
Friday, November 6th 2009 at 9:21PM
robert powell
Hello to all,
Most of the opinions I read I am in agreement such as Clark, Amos, Robert and Derek. I certainly disagree with Ms. Irma.
Black Americans are a new breed or race of people that has emerged out of the ashes of slavery. Our first language and original language is the King’s English because of obvious reasons I should not have to explain. We are obligated to speak the King’s English in its purest form. Language is a means of communicating and if you can speak the language well you could communicate your thoughts precisely as it is in your head.
This Ebonics nonsense is no good for an up and coming people that will soon be sovereign or have complete independence on a portion of this continent that we could call our very own country with borders.
In our democratic government as well as meeting with foreign diplomats, Ebonics is definitely out of the question. Please, we do not want to use a word such as, CUZ, so close the book on Ebonics.
From a historial view Jen, the blog meets is purpose. It is no secret that many of us talk and communicate like shown in the comedy video. I didn't find it offensive, but I feel if we who are choosing to speak like this will also learn to speak correct english as well. It's often disappointing though that we have lost our native tongues, which other nations had the opportuinity to keep. However...Que sera' sera' which is another language that's not my own....
Saturday, November 7th 2009 at 8:41AM
MIISRAEL Bride
"I use the word as I like and the way I like to use it by it's proper meaning. I use it in friendship or when refering to someone I wish was not in my race... "
Irma, my wife is the same way. Now I don't know if I have a proper understanding of Ebonics but I wanted to share some thoughts.
When my wife and I were together I was mostly around black people. I should say it was a certain culture not a good culture. I had a lot of difficulty following conversations between my wife and others of these black people. I asked her why she was talking in code? She seemed to think it was funny. From this experience I came to think that it was a way to confound the Man. I was not fully trusted by many, with the exception of my friend Ricky, who would answer my questions about this language.
I understand something very different by your experience Irma. But I see in general that it involves a cultural cohesiveness.
At work I work with many black people and when overhearing conversations some I still can't totally follow. But when a conversation is with me everything is clear. It's the same at my church. The Pastor is a very intelligent and powerful speaker. I cannot always understand his meaning. The church will laugh at something or amen something while I am left wondering what I missed. It has to do with some of his pronunciation as well as references I don't understand.
These are just some observations. I don't have a position to good or bad.
Ebonics b all good in da hood not on da J-O-B doe or yo behind be kicked hard to da cubb. 4 Real 4 Real.
Saturday, November 7th 2009 at 10:01AM
Jen Fad
Clark, many good points. But multi-lingual is not bad. I have to say Ebonics has been one of the hardest to learn. I have had an easier time with Greek, Latin, Hebrew and French.
Your most recent comment hits the nail right on the head about Ebonics, especially when you said this, “And that to me is very dangerous because it says, as a people, we're willing to accept less of ourselves.”
However, I would like to make a serious an important correction. You said this, “We are not Africans, but African Americans, and the language we speak is English, and we should strive to speak it well.”
You are correct that we are not Africans; neither are we African-Americans. We are Black Americans who are descendents of slaves. I do not want us to think of ourselves as being Africans and later on in our future, you are going to come to see why.
An African American is an African of African parentage, born in Africa or in America but is a citizen of America. On the other hand, a Black American is a descendent of slaves born in America and is automatically a citizen of America. Mainly, the wedge that stands between an African American and a Black American is slavery, am I right.
Irma, it's interesting you say code-switching because this is just how I thought of it when my wife would do the same thing, though I had never heard the term. I guess that's why she thought it funny when I once asked her why she spoke in code.
I will say this then I really must let it go...Derek what is Ebonics?No, I do not mean what someone told you or what you like or don't like, but what is Ebonics?????!!!?
And, then please go learn what the president can and can not do. An, American president can not make law. ONLY CONGRESS CAN MAKE LAW.the president can either accept this new law or he has veto power which congress can over turn or a citizen can take it up with the courts...as far as the N word goes I have never had anyone call me an N word, I have been called a *****.The first time I even heard the N word was when Sean Hannity said we could not use it.
but, as I don't consider my self as a dependant person or a piece of property, I use the word as I like and the way I like to use it by it's proper meaning. I use it in friendship or when refering to someone I wish was not in my race...
Derek, I am an individual who never see my self as you seem to be doing,this is seeingg me as a race of people.If you voted for Mr. Obama then I gather you believed it to be the right thing to do to make you happy at that time. If you did not vote for him then you should be in full actions working with your congresspersons that your state sent to Washington...but, I guess just doing nothing like working to get what you want done is as inportant as doing nothing but complain...your choice, not mine...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Derek, if true you did not even vote and if you are of voting age then you don't even have an say in what the government does/does not do especially our president...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Suprise, suprise, suprise, Derek... ALL African-Americans are not the same...me, I voted for Ron Paul. A TRUE reformed RACIST. And, if you are interested, I voted him because he tells the truth even when he knows full well it is going to cost him VOTES.(smile, my brother)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Derek, either you believe the our president is a DICTATOR or you have been attending far too many of those White Only meetings.(smile)
...plus, as a person who has been Black as well as ***** for so long "I" can spot a nonblack person in a few seconds.(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Derek, you either have made up your mind that our president is a DICTATOR or you have been attending far too many of those White Only political rallies!LOL
And, I see you have like me chosen not to use Standard English that you and Craig are talking about...I use Ebonics when I am with those who speak actual Ebonics.dispite this being my first language and because I have l lived out side of N. C. so long a lot of it I have forgotten.And, this is out of the same respect for my people as the public school teachers in Oakland(and now spreading)are having to do with our childeren...***** is as much a part of our culture as our children holding down their heads when an adult is speaking to them as in a lecture...because our public schools are now being forced to learn about other cultures, our innocent children are now being found not automatically being found guilty for holding their heads down when they are accused of doing something they did not do...but, then and because so many people are only willing to listen to their ownselves, we as a race have a lot of work still ahead of us as it has only been about 25 years of our true history being taught in public schools in all of these 400years....
Peace....
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Some times I just have to laugh to keep from crying...if our children are really learning about us from the Tv. Then they sure do not know that there are a lot of Black people in America!And, I am sure they know nothing about the native-Americans or even that there are some rich, and very happy people in Africa!!!!!What about Black African living in cities, having large business, stores, homes ect.!!!!! But, even worst they will be believing that we are a violent,anti-social people who very few do not violate the law, do drugs or kill peoples!!!!
It is also a much greater pity that about 80-90% of us don't even know our own history out side of slavery.We nothing about the Black people who were explorers of America.Slaves who wrote beautiful, books of poems, inventors, or even the names of one of the cities our people founded in America....Much less what Ebonics is.(smile)or even actually what the standard English is that they so wrongly believe they are speaking when they are in the real world speaking Ebonics.LOL
I have said enough now I will say no more, because it is getting personal now, how we too often refuse to believe we are a part of a positive race and culture to be proud of...
But, the only way to be able to do this is to actually learn your own history and not the european version of our histroy...(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Derek,your discription of Ebonics is the version taught by the Man and not Ebonics...the words *****/n*ggar are used differently by us that by other people...
I repeat, the more we learn about our true" Black in America" the more we can unite as a people...What you gave examples of is not Ebonics.and, much like Ebonics, affirmative action was able to be used so successfully AGAINST US ;because we only got to know the version of MAN'S which is not from US, but from the man therefore it could be used so successfully AGAINST US AS IT WAS.
Ebonics has more to do with how we cut off words mainly in the south, "yall and not you all"...and in the south we tend to use more African words not English. We say Chunk not throw...we say 'over yonder' not over there.We still use words the same way as we did when we were first learning this language...Also our young children tend to do something we call 'code switching'. This means children use a different language with our friends that we do with grown ups.(or we use to do this when our parents raised us and not when we raised our parents as in today too many homes)
Since we have as a people taken ownership of the words, black and ***** all of a sudden we can not use these words. The only reason we "can" use them is because we now OWN THEM / use as an identity/ without being offended or having over-come therefore it is alright...
They even gave us the black leaders that was of their choice as mass media darlings like Sharpton and Jacskon..have you noticed they do not do this with one of our most important Black leaders of all time...President Barack H. Obama!?!?(smile)
And, I will leave you with this question...have you seen as much (or any) of Rev. Al Sharpton since he went to Jena, La. and actually acted like a community leader in a LOCAL black community..How many hours of the Peace march on Jena. La. did you see on major news any place on your TV?but, you saw Rev. Sharpton 24/7 with Don Imus.(Imus, who is now a proud member of the FOX cable news family)LOL
These kinds of knowledge about our race and culture posted by sister Jen and brother Gaddy are priceless...much lov Jen and again thank you so very, very much.(smile)Uen, is a better example of the future of Black community leaders..YES WE CAN...YES WE DO...YES WE WILL...lov also to you my brother Derek.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
...something like chattel salvery as negative and inhumane...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Clark on this one you are wrong. but, don't worry if I had not majored in our history even I would not know what Ebonics is nor Affrimative Action really is.(both have been having us turn on each on cue) Ebonics is not one thing or the other , because it is more of a dilect or not being able to actually say the words correctly. Or much like rap was to the slaves a code created to confuse/frighten the master after they took away the drums.
The point I always try to make about Ebonics is it is a main stay, a major part of our powers, determinations to survive in slavery.If you notice I always try to point these things out...right now ebonics like our being taught that the single mother of our children are not good for us as a people therefore it is causing such distruction on America is the exact thing that is being put on Ebonics!!!!
Do you call the members of your family who spoke this way as enemies of America/ the whole planet Clark ,or do you see them as I see myself as Ebonics is my first language????!!!?
But, until we learn our own history then we will continue to turn against even our religious leaders like Rev. Wright, Mr. Obama and even begin to see our own mothers as a negative as being taught in this divide and conquor...via those CNN Black history lessons specials and the right-wingers, ect.as for me,I PASS...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
My brother Steve,I will try to help you by this example. In one of my Black history classes,the professor show Spike Lee's movie Do The Right Thing. After the movie she aslked all in the class who understood the movie to raise their hands. Not one White student raised their hands.
She then explained how if this had been a Shaft movie the all in the class would have understood the movie. Movies that were not Black explotation we so new that they were hard for nonBlacks to understand.Steve we are of a different culture than you are..you have heard me say before that being Black is an "experience" that can not actually be learned?So don't worry, you are still as everyone else in the human race, some will not...Just continue to be exactly who you are and you will be alright...lov ya, my brotherin spirit(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
And, by the way my brother Clark, is your first language:Latin, Greek, Jewish or the language of your parents or who raised you?Are we taught English in school because we need to learn it or because our parents was too lazy and irresponsible to teach us? aND, BY THE WAY I BELIEVE SLANG WORDS OR PUT IN THE DICTIONARY...why this all out assault on Ebonics only now that it has been legally made and accepted as a language!!!!!!!!?????????????!
WAKE UP.(SMILE)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Me, all I try to do is keep us as a people to learn that we have a history of survival. We shall over come this assault on Ebonics that is now so wide spread since it has been legally accepted as a LANGUAGE!!!!! some examples of this assault has been made by brother Clark...therefore I now ask us one and ALL these questions: 1. When we hear our family members say the words like 'chunk" do we deem them:ignorant, something to be ashamed of, lazy, anti-American,or try to understand what they are saying?
2. How many of us first language was not the language of our parents?You know like they spoke English and we spoke Latin or English as spoken in Australia? 3. Did we learn standard English in public school, college because our parents were too lazy to do this/teach us this? 4. Is it better when finding a job to be able to speak only Standard English or more than one languages? You know like if you want a job in a certain country or even a certin part of America that we speak the way the locals speak or not?If this is so then why not Ebonics????????!!!!!!even with our friends, family members?
and, to my brother in spirit Steve, what we do so you can better understand what we say is called "code switchiing"...also once my husband and I were having a major argument. then he just sit down and started laughing and could not stop laughing.When he was able to stop laughing at me, he asked what in the world was that language I was speaking.Little did I realize that I was so mad at him I could not speak in Standard English so I had reverted to my first language...Ebonics(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
I will say this and shut up on this matter, because I keep saying it over and over... What part of African-American does not mean we have a historical tie with the mother land---A-F-R-I-C-A? what part of Africa did not remain with the children of those in chattel slavery born in America? It all just disappeared from the psyci of their parents and they could speak standard English and fully accept being property?!?
My God Clark have you been convinced that judge Sotomajor should not be on the Supreme court because she will be coming there with memories of her Hispanic culture?!? If not then what is your point about those o f African decent born in America?!?????!!!?.Me, I would rather believe that because we are an oral learning peoples those memories/teachings of being human and free in Africa is why we never completely fell for the working yourself to death so you could become human and have souls and be able to go to heaven had a lot to do with our on going fight to this day for Equality in this country as our right!!!!
For those who actually know that (the true/actual) Ebonics meets all of the requirements of a legal language...the law actually have no argument with this, but Prejudice does...and you know when I use the word preucdice I am talking about Ignorance or ONLY IN AMERICA.(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Craig, TRUTH NEVER NEEDS AN EXCUSE.(smile)I am so proud to be an African-American until I even see something as negative and inhumane as it was and still is something to be more than proud that my people were able to survive and progress beyond...I look at being poor is not a reason to be dirty in body or mind or spirit or limited in achieving goals to make this world a better place for those who will come after us...Thanks sister Jen as always for your post as related to our culture...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Sister Jem. as I live too far out to get DSL, i can not bring in the tape properly, but, as a major in African and African-American, I am so glad that you bring up these wonderful things...The more we are educated about true Black in America the more we will be able to unite...
Things like this will have us be more able to understand what Rev. Wright was saying about how White and Black brains are different is the truth and not anti-race or American or religion.
My sister these two things about our race are true. The majority of us can not drink cow's milk (more of us can drink goat's milk with out problem digesting it)nor can we do Standard English.thus Ebonics comes in. Not slang but, not being able to say standard words as White people can do. I usually point this out by asking us to watch and listen to our people when they sing the National Anthem. When Whitney Huston sang this song and when Jimmy Hendrix played it they said this was a new version.This is not true, it was the only way they could do this...
Another point is to watch White people dance/clap to the same beats as we do...we are never in unison unless they are professional dancers.(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
