Ebonics is Not a Seperate Language but Improper Form of English

2951 Words6 Pages

The United States is filled with many different ethnicities, cultures, customs, languages, etc. Supposedly, our public schools are equipped with classes, teachers, curriculums and materials in order to educate that part of the student population whose first language is something other than the English language. Bilingual classes, transitional classes, ESL classes are just a few of the programs that have been developed to instruct non-English speaking students in order for them to acquire the English language.

However, there has been a "language" use among African American students; "language" that has not been examined closely nor acknowledged until recently. Ebonics is classified as "Black English" or "Black sounds", or "Pan African Communication Behavior" or "African Language systems" which originates from the West African languages such as Ibo, Yoruba, and Hausa (Amended Resolution of the Board of Education, 1997. P. 1)." During the times of slavery, ebonics was also spoken as Gullah, which is a combination of West African languages, and English. Ebonics is a term coined by psychologist Robert Williams, resulting from the combination of two words, "ebony" and "phonics" in order to describe its dialect (The Daily O'Collegian Editorial Board. 1997. P. 1). The controversy behind ebonics is whether or not it is actually a language or and should it be instructed as a foreign language.

Language is defined as a "system of words formed from such combinations and patterns, used by the people of a particular country or by a group of people with a shared history or set of traditions (Microsoft Bookshelf. 1996-1997 edition)." Ebonics is a form of communication of feelings, thoughts, opinions and ideas at is being used by ou...

... middle of paper ...

...ensnewspapers.com/199//08109//0810.ebonics.htlm

Miloy, Courtland. 1997. Nothing Funny About Ebonics. Internet Address:

http://www.engnsnurst.org/ebonpro.htlm

Oubr, Alondra. 1997. Internet Address: http://www.aaw.com/toc.htlm

Sanchez, Rene. Ebonics: A Way to Close the Learning Gap?; Schools Have Been

Experimenting for Years with Using Black English as a 'Bridge" to Better

Skills. New York Tines: January 6, 1997.

Wasserman, Tracey. 1997. Language Shortcuts Do Not Benefit Students. Internet

Address: http://www.magn-ground.com/news/school-papers/laduepanorama.htlm

Woodall, Bert. 1997. Training for Failure. Internet Address:

http://www.puoncbews.com/issues/759/editorial.com

Zeis, Robert. 1997. Ebonics is a silly concept; they ain't got no sense: It's jive.

http://www.dany.fastate.edu/voulumes/Spring9//Jan-23//op2.htlm

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