The Ebonics Controversy

Ebonics is a language system with its own vocabulary, rules of grammar, and structure. It is also known as African American Vernacular English. It is a dialect of English that is spoken by African Americans. Ebonics is spoken all over the United States, but is especially prevalent in large urban areas. (Oubre)

The word ‘Ebonics’ comes from the root words ‘ebo’ and ‘phonics’. ‘Ebo’ is short for ebony, the color black. ‘Phonics’ is derived from the word phonetics, the representation of sounds with symbols. Literally it means ‘Black sounds.’ (Dillard)

The vocabulary of Ebonics is relatively easy to learn. The idiomatic rules and syntactical structure of the language is difficult to master. Ebonics involves not only the words that are spoken, but also the tonal patterns and inflections of the voice. This is referred to as tonal semantics. Tonal semantics is the use of the voice, rhythm, and tonal inflection

I am not in any way claiming that others should share my views. I hope that you will find the information that I have presented here helpful. Take it and use it to form your own views about the subject of Ebonics.

A widely accepted theory about Ebonics is that when slaves were learning English, their native languages got in the way. This is called interference. Individuals experiencing interference when learning a new language tend to make the language that they are learning conform to the sound of their native language. Linguistic interference is usually labeled as a Pidgin or a Creole language. Pidgin English is defined as an attempt to fit the words and the sounds of the new language into the basic idiomatic structure of their native tongue. Pidgin English develops into Creole when it is widespread and the first and only language of a community. (Landrum-Brown, Ph.D.)

An Amendment Resolution to the Ebonics policy was released on January 15, 1997. The Amendment adds several things to the policy. It is a policy statement directing the superintendent of schools devise a program to improve the English language acquisition and application skills of African American students. (Amended Resolution)

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