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?