Do you consider Ebonics a legitimate dialect of English or improper use of English?

Question

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I consider it a sign of being lazy and uneducated. Blast me for being “racist” all you want but I’ve met too many educated and intelligent black people who don’t talk that way. Using proper English isn’t a “white” thing either. It’s talking like you don’t have a bunch of shit in your mouth.

by the way I was almost deaf when I was a little boy due to the canals in my ears being level when they are supposed to be slanted for drainage (like most people). My ear drums were blocked up and when you can’t hear people speak at that age and then you can’t formulate words well either. I had a bit of a speech impediment growing up. I struggled with “th” vowels. But I managed to overcome it and I can give full speeches without missing a beat.

Point being is just because someone grew up hearing everybody say that Ebonics shit it doesn’t mean they have to continue it.

Starrk · Accepted Answer

Linguistically, Ebonics is not improper. Matter of fact it's a recognized dialect of the English language by most linguistics. Ebonics aka African American Vernacular English is an ethnolect or sociolect. Ethnolects are not improper nor wrong. They're just a distinct, but similar, variation of a larger language spoken by an ethnic group.

Ebonics may not be viewed as proper in a societal stance, but that doesn't invalidate it as a legitimate dialect. Most dialects that belong to a minority group (especially one that's been historically disenfranchised) are viewed as improper but they are still legitimate nonetheless.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

It's improper. With dialects you just get the odd different word or pronunciation but it's still understandable to others. For example the English say colour not color and they say "where are you?" Rather than the American "where you at" Ebonics just smacks of poor education and a desperate bid to be different.

TayTay21 · Accepted Answer

"Ebonics" is just bs invented by some professor to legitimize the garbage slang spoken by ghetto people.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

It is improper use of English but I am sure that the PC crowd will disagree with me.

Broken_doll · Answer

Improper. A way for those of a low IQ to feel superior to educated people by creating their own language and marketing it to mainstream media to make us all stoop to their level and talk like dumbasses because that's the only power they have.
Why the fuck would I want to look up to a lazy ghetto dweller when there are successful lawyers, CEOs, etc?
And if you don't like ebonics, they play the race card. It's not about race, it's about idiocracy. Don't buy into trash culture.

loveslongnails · Answer

It's a bastardization of the English language, kind of like spoken text speak. When I hear it, I just feel like I've dumbed down. That said, keep in mind that when one's education is restricted, you will adopt the language that you hear. This is why there's a schism being the language of the poorest and those who are not.

ShortCircuit · Answer

I mean, there is no denying that black Americans generally have a distinct way of speaking, separate from "regular" American English. However, I think whether you would label it "proper" or "improper" is entirely subjective. Brits think American and Australian English are both "improper". Hell, there's even infighting between Brits over London, Southern Wales, and Birmingham dialects, etc.

Birdlegs · Answer

It’s a dialect most black people and others who grew up around black people can speak it naturally whereas people who didn’t grow up around us can’t do it or at least sound natural. Just like any other dialect. If you grew up in England you’ll sound British it’s the same thing. I can code switch and speak both proper English or Ebonics like if I’m at a job interview or if I’m with friends.

wankiam · Answer

if language didn't change over time we would all be speaking chaucers English so yes its improper English but its also just an evolution and while others mention its not really dialect, when it comes down to it then its often focused on one area of the country and not exclusive to a certain race either

abc3643 · Answer

It is a legitimate dialect.

Per Encyclopædia Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ebonics

Ebonics, also called African American Vernacular English (AAVE), formerly Black English Vernacular (BEV), dialect of American English spoken by a large proportion of African Americans.

kingofthellamas · Answer

I'm so pleased. Yes, lets cut a line. All languages fork. I think it's helpful.

I admit the snob in me is pleased. I find it hard to understand and am made to feel bad because I don't. If it's another language I'm happy. I can add it to a long list of other languages I have no intention of learning.

Can we go further? Can Americans please stop claiming to speak English? It's not, its American.

Mr_longLegz · Answer

I feel it is a legitimate dialect at this point. A lot of ebonics I have seen comes from underfunded areas with lower income families. Schools aside, if you go home to a family that speaks ebonics or have friends that do, you'll pick it up by association.

missy52 · Answer

I think that it is an improper form of English but it's developed into being a legitimate dialect. People who use can be in corporate offices or trying to make ends meet in houses that are too small to meet their needs.

hannah7 · Answer

Regular dialect of the English language. I hate seeing some racist responses on here. I don't know why anyone cares if black people speak differently.

JDavid25 · Answer

Improper use of the English language that "Black" people just adopted from Southern culture.. But I still use it cause I like to.. 😅..

RolandCuthbert · Answer

What committee certifies what dialect gets to be apart of what language?

OfDeath · Answer

I've never heard it spoken but contrary to the others, I do see it as its own dialect. I don't think it is improper use because it isn't trying to be English. It's the makings of a new language. However, I think it might die out as racial inclusiveness prevails.

MDollarBill · Answer

At best it is a form of "Pidgin English, " spoken so because some Proper English phonetics are so difficult to speak because the first language doesn't have those sounds in them making them difficult for the speaker to pronounce, or because physical limitations or characteristics make those sounds more difficult. Hence, "children" becomes "chid-ren." It seems that many cultures have trouble pronouncing the English "L" sound. "Aw-ight?"

TOTEMPLASTER · Answer

It is a patois used by poorly-educated Negros and as such can be considered as a dialect due to its structured syntax and vocabulary.

cth96190 · Answer

Ebonics is a degenerate form of the English language.

Lliam · Answer

It may be a legitimate dialect like back woods Appalachian, Cajun or Creole, but it's not proper English. I don't even think "y'all" is proper English, despite its wide-spread use.

lanadelrey25 · Answer

I don't mind any kinds of accents, it's the actual bad grammar I mind. If you wanna have a ghetto "dialect" by all means go ahead, but you can still have that dialect and speak proper English grammar.

genericname85 · Answer

i don't think "ebonics" is a dialect. i mean ebonics is an umbrella term for people of many different nationalities, which all have different dialects, so calling a dialect "ebonic" would be inaccurate at best.

EmmaMary · Answer

Please simply refer to @purplepoppy comment, she sums this up in it's entirety.

bamesjond0069 · Answer

Yo dis be sum shit cuh. Y gotta b down on a thug jus cuzy talking wut he learn in da street slangin, tryin make it on that corner cuz its the only lyfe eno how?

The_Sal · Answer

I only respect proper English speaking citizens of all colors. if you think only blacks speak ebonics then you might be part of the racial divide

Andres77 · Answer

You mean like jive used to be?

Agape93 · Answer

Improper use of English.

b5fan · Answer

A dialect needs to be spoken by a population. If it is spoken than yeah it's a proper dialect.

Yogibuty777 · Answer

At first it might have been improper English but now it’s legitimate. I expect that how all languages start and evolve

Anonymous · Answer

...

CapitalismFailed · Answer

I mean you can say it's a dialect. If not a whole new language.

skeetskeetskeet · Answer

When they want to make a dictionary of it then I'll believe it is

msc545 · Answer

It is a dialect of sorts, but it is also a very improper use of English.

CheshireLokiison · Answer

It’s a dialect at this point. No going back now, trust me.

007kingifrit · Answer

its not proper English

jshm2 · Answer

Yes. Just as American is a dialect of English.

jakejacobson110 · Answer

It sounds and writes as an illiterate would

J9inva · Answer

It’s improper English.

Tiffyk · Answer

Improper. It's all slang

DesolateRain · Answer

Improper.

Anonymous · Answer

It's become a part of English language

stuntbrain · Answer

For shizzle my nizzle

Dweezil · Answer

Niggah, puuhhlleezze!!!

Iknowbestgirls · Answer

Ebonics is rascist

Waldoe · Answer

no compredo senor

Do you consider Ebonics a legitimate dialect of English or improper use of English?

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Do you consider Ebonics a legitimate dialect of English or improper use of English?

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