Response to the Linguist

Language tells the history and development of a civilization and its speakers. With each new generation of new speakers of a language, brings new insight and meaning of the world in which they live. The language allows these experiences to be shared and passed on to the next generation. This is the primary reason why I believe it is important to hold on to all languages. If a language is lost, a part of the history, knowledge and culture of its speakers is also lost.

It’s important to learn other languages in order to get a better understanding of different people and cultures. In this multi cultural world, I believe that if we were able to understand people better, in turn we can find better ways to communicate and live harmoniously together.

I don’t necessarily believe that there has or should be a policy in place to protect the rights of a linguistic group to speak their own language. I feel that we should have respect for others, and freely allow people to speak the language of their choosing.

Presentation Letter

To Whom This May Concern:

Dear Yule,
            I am currently a student in an introductory course of Language and we are using your textbook, The Study of Language the fourth edition this semester. For a class assignment I was given the choice to pick a book that explores language through the different lenses of: anthropology which searches for the role language plays in humanity; sociology, which investigates the role language plays in a cultural community and its institutions; or psychology, which investigates how language influences particular attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions expressed in or out of a group. The book I chose was Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English, by John Russell Rickford. My professor in this class mentioned that you were always looking for feedback or thoughts from students of language for your next edition of the book. I am writing this letter to share some of the interesting information I learned about language. The suggestions I have to offer would greatly enhance your book and benefit other language students. After reading Spoken Soul, I was able to gain a better understanding of my ethnic community, the struggles my ancestors faced, and how they overcame their struggles within a hostile country. Subsequently, I was able to understand the importance of language in unifying a community, establishing and preserving cultural traditions, and without it we would be lost.

In your book Chapter 19 briefly touches on the African American Vernacular English, a social dialect created and used by African Americans. Although you eloquently explain the social barriers, such as discrimination and segregation that have been influential in the development of this distinct language spoken by African Americans, and define the language terms in clear, easy to read language, the chapter doesn’t touch on the importance of the Black Vernacular to the cultural identities of African Americans. I think you should consider including more information on the cultural origins and history of the black vernacular, especially since this language is negatively stigmatized in academia, but not in popular culture. By including this information to your next edition it would encourage students who speak a cultural dialect opposing to the dominate language of a nation to think more critically about how the language they speak impacts their society, and individual identities.

Sincerely,
Shereen Corbin

Summary Part V

Spoken Soul: pgs. 200-229

This last section of the book provides a summary of the major points and issues discussed in the previous sections. The authors provide their last thoughts on the topic of Spoken Soul and its importance to the African American community. Finally, they end the book by allowing the reader to reflect on their own view of Spoken Soul, rather than try to persuade them to support Spoken Soul over Standard English. The ending is meant to encourage readers to make an educated decision about Ebonics/Spoken Soul/ AAVE, and to inspire the next generation to continue on with the research into this issue.

Key Points reviewed in final summary:

1)      All language and dialects are systematic, rule governed, and create for a purpose.

2)      All languages and dialects are subject to social conditionings, different interpretations, and perceptions.

3)      Learn and become proficient in Standard English, but also remember embrace and to be proud of your cultural language.

4)      “Every shut eye ain’t alsleep, every good buy ain’t gone.” Things aren’t always so simple or what they may appear to be. It is up to us to be aware, to seek truth, and to be guided by wisdom.

Summary Part IV

Spoken Soul: pgs. 150-200

This next section of the book discusses the controversy involving an Oakland California School’s interest in adopting the use of Ebonics to teach the children, and the media’s obsession with the issue. The authors present the arguments of all those involved, and a analysis of the role the media played to influence public opinion.

Summary Part III

Spoken Soul: Summary of pgs. 100-150

This section of the book discusses the vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and history of the Spoken Soul. The goal of the authors is to reveal the systematic rules of spoken soul, beginning with the vocabulary and pronunciation, and then analyzing its grammar.

“Ebonics has no dictionary, no textbooks, no grammar, no rules. It is rebellious and outside rule-based language.” Quoted from an America Online Contributor, 1996.

“If Black English isn’t a language, them tell me, what is?” –James Baldwin, 1979

These quotes represent the different views of Spoken Soul. The authors, begin this section of the book with the following quotes in an attempt to answer the question: what are the requirements to make a dialect a legitimate language. This was a question, I mentioned in Summary I, and I truly interested in finding the answer.

The authors, then begin to list the requirements needed to consider something a language. A language must have rules of grammar, pronunciation, and meaning. Within its grammar, there must be rules for modifying or combining words to express different meanings and to form larger phrases or sentences.

The authors assert that Spoken Soul has a rule of grammar that allows the speaker to move negative helping verbs such as ain’t and can’t to the front of a sentence to make the sentence more emphatic. They provide a detailed analysis of the grammar and phonology of Spoken Soul as evidence that it should be considered a legitimate language. The authors disagree with the claim that Ebonics has no formal meaning or dictionaries. They argue there are numerous books on the vocabulary of Spoken Soul. The authors will admit that, since slang words are always changing, new studies will always be needed, and advocate for the creation of a full-fledged Ebonics dictionary with pronunciations, etymologies, and historical attestations that parallel the Oxford English dictionaries.

According to the book, regarding the history or origins of the Black Vernacular, some scholars contend it bears the vivid imprint of the African languages spoken by the slaves who came to this country.

Other scholars maintain that the devastating experience of slavery wiped out most if not all African linguistic and cultural traditions, and the apparently distinctive features of spoken soul come from older British dialects,(peasants and indentured servants whom the slaves encounter in colonial times.

The theory of the vernacular having some influence from West African languages is based on the fact that the slang compound words “bad-mouth” and “crossed-eyed,”which are literal and metaphonical expressions found in the Mandigo language “da-jugu” and in the Hausa language “maum-baki.” The author argues that the reason why many African Americans pronounce the English “th” sound for [t,f,d,v] is simply because the West African languages spoken by the ancestors of today’s African Americans did not have the “th” sound in their native languages. Africans were forced to substitute the “th” sound with consonants in their language that were similar in sound.

Summary Part II

Spoken Soul: Summary of pgs.50-100

In this section of the book the authors explain the broad use of the Black Vernacular by preachers, actors, comedians, singers, and rappers in their occupations to inspire, entertain, and express their cultural identities.

Black preachers use the vernacular to show their congregrants that they can relate to their struggles, and cultural experiences. This is important because a preacher must be intimately aware of their congregrants ways and weaknesses in order to be taken seriously, and to guide them spiritually. For example, a black preacher will often translate the biblical text to plain talk to make it current, as though it were happening today: “And on the third baby, she said, ‘This time I got him. He can’t go nowhere. Now he is joined to me. He’s mine.’ Ya’ll know Leah, don’t you?”

The authors also mention that the Black Vernacular is marked by the use of double negatives or the deletion of the verb (is, are). For example, “we gon tear the roof off the suka tonight.” They also assert that the vernacular of African Americans is an empowering element of a Black preacher’s craft, however they are also expected to be capable of wielding “the prestige language” standard English if they seek to broaden their audience.

African American comedians, actors and musicians use the vernacular basically to humor, delight, and entertain audiences. Some will often use the vernacular in their routines, acts to show the stark cultural and lifestyle differences of African Americans versus other ethnicities. For instance, in a comedic routine a black comedian may exploit the vernacular for humorous effect. An example of this is when a White person is worried they might “Oh father God”, while a Black person in a similar situation might say “Oh Shit.” This becomes humorous because the audience’ recognizes the cultural contrast or stereotypes and are able to in reality laugh at themselves.

Another interesting point the author exposes is the difficulty sometimes for African Americans to switch effortlessly from the vernacular to Standard English. This touches on my initial blog about my language story, where growing up I had to be able to switch in and out of the vernacular.

Prescritivist or Descriptivist?

The Prescriptive Approach

The prescriptive approach to language follows a strict set of rules for the proper use of a language. For example, in the sentence: Who did you go with? Although it sounds okay to me, according to the Prescriptive approach, the rule state that a sentence cannot end with a preposition. The grammatically correct form of the sentence is: With whom did you go with?

The Descriptive Approach

The descriptive approach to language attempts to describe the regular structures of the language as it was used or as it evolves, not according to some view of how it should be used.

Although I think both approaches are valid, I would consider myself a descriptivist because I think language changes naturally over time and is influenced by many different perspectives and perceptions of the human being. I believe that every language should be flexible enough to incorporate new words, sentence structures, and sounds. Since, language is unique to different cultures and societies, I believe that the rules of language shouldn’t be too strict, as to suppress, or censor creativity and innovation. For example, in my culture creating new words and redefining established words is how many African American communities choose to express themselves in a language that was originally forced upon them during the past history of slavery. I think it’s ironic that a culture of people that have historically been marginalized and discriminated against are responsible for creating a worldwide pop cultural phenomenon with jazz, hip-hop, and r&b music, which has become a transformational force in the English language. If it were up to prescritivists words like jive, cool,  booty, chill, and holla, which make our language interesting, colorful, and live would be banned.

My Neologism

My blog buddy Irani and I came up with the following words:

Zipidy: be quiet; close your mouth.

Kosmetic: superficial; the act of being fake.

I Pronouce My Name...

Shereen is transcribed as:        ʃ  I   r    i    n 

For Linguist: The first syllable onset is voiceless palatal fricative  “sh”, The next syllable’s onset is a voiced aveolar liquid “ er” with a rhyme of a high front vowel “ee”, and the last syllable’s onset is a voiced nasal aveolar “n”.

For the Locals: Start by putting your lips together leaving a small opening, your tongue should be touching the roof of your mouth and your teeth should be clenched to make the “shhhhh” sound mixed with an “r” sound, as if you were saying the word b i r d. Then open your mouth as if you are smiling and follow with the sound “reeee”. End with the sound “n” produced when the tip of your tongue touches the roof of your mouth.

Summary Part I

Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English

Summary Part I (1-50 pgs.)

The Spoken Souls starts off by providing a few definitions.

“The Soul: the animating and vital principal in humans; the central or integral part; the vital core; a sense of ethnic pride among Black people and especially African Americans,  expressed in areas such as language, social customs, religion and music.”

Now that we know what the soul is, one might ask what is Spoken Soul? The author’s use the words of African American author and intellectual Claude Brown, to define it as the Black Vernacular of African Americans. What makes this language so unique is it “possesses a pronounced lyrical quality which is frequently incompatible to any music other than that ceaselessly and relentlessly driving rhythm that flows from poignantly spent lives.”

Spoken Soul is the language of African Americans primarily spoken in homes, churches, neighborhoods, streets, schools, the media, literature, and music. African Americans use this language to preach and praise, sing and dance, laugh or cry, confide or console, philosophize, and examine, survive in the streets or relax with friends and family at home. It is simply the way African Americans feel comfortable to express themselves in their cultural environment. According to the Rickford’s this language is important to our history, popular culture as well as both African and American society. “It marks black identity and stands as a symbol of the culture, and lifestyle that has greatly impacted popular American culture." Rickford asserts without it we would lose a vital link to our nation’s past.

On the other hand, contrary to the definitions given prior, those who oppose “Black English”, popularly define it as: “disgusting black street slang; incorrect and substandard English; nothing more than ignorance; lazy English; the language of illiteracy.” These definitions are starkly different than those of Claude Brown, and reflect the love hate dynamics with Ebonics. Some of the resentment towards Black English stems from the belief that it could replace Standard English and that it will also create more differences between Americans. Many opponentd believe support of Black English would “Keep us in the Ghetto”, instead of aiding African Americans in upward mobility.

Just from reading the first fifty pages I can understand how important a persons' cultural language is to them. Language is something that we cannot live without, and it is important to our daily lives. Upon further reading this book, I would like to know if one can truly succeed in the economic and social worlds without having to surrender one’s distinctive identity, if language is a component of our identities.

The Book I Chose...

Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English

By: Rickford & Rickford

Lack of scholarly research into the “Black English” has led father and son dual authors Rickford & Rickford to write a book that breaks it down and makes it plain. Named and inspired by the words of Claude Brown, author of Manchild in the Promised Land 1965, to describe this unique language of African Americans. In their book the Rickford’s discuss the myths and truths about the history of the Black Vernacular, providing an analysis of the grammar, speech, and meaning behind black writing. The Rickford’s also touch on the rising media controversy over Oakland California Schools proposed use of Ebonics, or slang to teach African American students rather than Standard English.

The book takes you through the complex social, political and cultural history and experiences of African Americans in order to derive at the source and origins of this language of survival. According to the authors, “it’s not just about language.” Their goal is to further explain the internal strife within African Americans to come to terms with their “double consciousness”, dual identities. These dual identities, being an African, and two an American, are like two warring souls that oppose and conflict with each other. Moreover, the authors hope that with their book American Americans will be able to learn to own their double selves; Spoken Soul and Standard English. Ultimately, merging the two sides into one extraordinary self.

           I personally have an interest in African American literature, and I am always looking for the next book to read that will feed my mind and soul while increasing my social and cultural consciousness. I find this book interesting because I can personally relate to the subject with my own experience with choosing between speaking slang or proper Standard English. This reading will also provide me with scholarly evidence and information concerning the issue of the use of slang by African Americans.  Many times I have often wondered should “Black English” be considered its own language, and is it unique to our cultural heritage.

           From this reading I would like to learn what the requirements are to categorize something as a legitimate language rather than poor English. I also would like to learn how language directly shapes our identities. If African Americans abandon the black vernacular will they be losing a part of their culture and or identities?

I Speak Therefore I am

“Language is a key partner of thinking....A confused, illogical, and sloppy use of language leads to confused, illogical, and sloppy thinking”.   –Wittgenstein   

I found this quote in my philosophy textbook and saw the interesting connection it had to the article “You Are What You Speak”. Wittgenstein is referring to how language may or may not shape who we are, or how one might think and see the world. Ludwig Wittgenstein is considered one of the great 20^th century philosophers, who contributed new insight into the links between thought, and language. In the article, Deutscher challenges some of the assumptions about language and seeks to answer the question of whether or not our native tongues restrict what we think. Wittgenstein states that the “improper use of a language can lead to confusion and idiotic thinking. If he is right does this mean that those who don’t speak “proper” English or Spanish are simple minded and incapable of thinking critically?

My first language is English and it was really the only language I was exposed to since most of my relatives and close friends as a child also spoke English. I believe I learned to speak English first through hearing and repetition. Babies hear everything that’s going on, and through hearing and repetition they begin to associate words for particular objects, distinguish sound and tones, and express emotions. Ultimately, they learn that through language they will be able convey what they want or need.

Growing up in a predominately African American and minority community, I learned how to speak two different dialects of the English language. For instance, at school I would try to speak “proper” English, and at home or around neighborhood friends I spoke slang. In my neighborhood it was important to be able to speak slang in order to fit in. I would always make sure that I learned all the new slang words and terminologies as well as proper English grammar. This was often difficult because sometimes I would unconsciously speak in the wrong dialect to the wrong crowd. If I spoke slang in school I was criticized by teachers and if I spoke proper English to neighborhood friends I would be teased. I learned that although language has its boundaries, it also enables us to make strong connections and socialize with various groups of people.

It wasn’t until the first grade that I discovered that there were other cultural languages that people spoke. Spanish was the second language I encountered while attending school. I remember hearing my friends’ mom say “Ben aqui porfavor”. I then asked my mom “what language is she saying?” My mom explained to me that the language my friends’ mother was speaking was Spanish, and it is a language spoken by many people of  the Hispanic culture. Of course my next question was “Why I don't we speak Spanish?”

After attending more diverse schools I became more aware of the various languages that other people spoke. The opportunity to learn a different language came to me in high school. I took three levels of Spanish, and did very well on written test, however, when it came to the oral test it was difficult for me to grasp. It seems as though my body was rejecting this foreign language. I am still trying to learn this language, while also ensuring that my son learn Spanish at an early age. Learning different languages will help him to learn understand different cultures and people.

According to Deutscher, it is absurd to believe some of the popular 20^th century ideas on language. The human mind is sophisticated enough to understand a particular concept even if there isn’t a word in one’s language for that concept. For example, even if there was no official word in the English language for love, we would still be aware of how it feels and what it means. He makes a great point when he says that it would be impossible to learn something new if a word was required prior.

Lastly, Deutscher answers the question of how language affects the way we think, by asserting that some languages compel us to provide more a less details whether we want to or not. For instance, in German or French one would have to disclose whether the person she was with was male or female, where as in English she does not.