Should Ebonics be classified a language like French and Italian?

Discussion in 'Conversations Between White Women and Black Men' started by Madiba, Jul 31, 2010.

  1. Madiba

    Madiba New Member

    Because Italian and French are languages, and I was suggesting that Ebonics be classified as a language. I used them as an Example, could have easily used German or spanish.
     
  2. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    Whether you used Portuguese or German or Gaelic as examples, Ebonics doesn't compare to any of those.
     
  3. Madiba

    Madiba New Member

    I know, it doesnt. And I wasnt suggesting ebonics did. Again, I used those languages as an example. I think you are missing the point.
     
  4. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    I don't know about you, but there are no "slang language classes" being offered at any of the universities I am familiar. Mainly because there's no demand for it.

    Why would Ebonics deserve an exception?
     
  5. Madiba

    Madiba New Member

    If it was classified as a language it would no longer be called slang. It would just be called Ebonics..
     
  6. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    Ok.

    I'll say it again: I don't know of any universities that offer slang classes because there's no demand for it.

    Tell me when you find one and tell me what slang they are teaching.

    Nobody wants it. Rather, there is little-to-no demand for it.
     
  7. pettyofficerj

    pettyofficerj New Member

    people would sign up for that joint and still fail

    c'mon soN!
     
  8. Madiba

    Madiba New Member

    Is there a university that you know that teaches KIRABATI, SEPEDI, SHAGHAAN? These are all languages.
     
  9. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    I've already stated that it all boils down to demand.

    If there's no strong demand for it, no one is going to supply it.

    End of story.
     
  10. Madiba

    Madiba New Member

    What??? Cant believe you just said that!

    Please re-read the whole thread, I am convinced you totally missing the point, and I cant be bothered to explain again.
     
  11. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    You just said slang can't be a language.

    And yes, it says "like French".

    But you just said, slang can't be a language.

    Therefore, the answer to your question would be, "No", because slang can't be a language.
     
  12. Madiba

    Madiba New Member


    For your benefit, re-read the whole thread slowly.
     
  13. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    I read it.

    And my answer is still no.

    Whether you agree with my reasoning, that's up to you, but my answer is still no and I'm sure many people would agree.
     
  14. pettyofficerj

    pettyofficerj New Member

    lol

    aw shit
     
  15. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    This guy is acting like people didn't hear him the first time.

    I heard that BS loud and clear and the answer is still no.
     
  16. pettyofficerj

    pettyofficerj New Member

    at least you two are keeping it civil

    who says brothas cant argue without bustin' caps
     
  17. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    For a culture of people to proudly adopt a slang that was based on a lack of education and the cause of wiping out any sort of cultural identity, seems like a mockery to me.

    Then again, some people would argue the use of the word 'nigga' and say it can be turned into something positive, while others still find it offensive, whether they are black or not.

    Either way, you're going to have a group of people that find it offensive and those arguing it is "positive".

    Its all subjective.
     
  18. Madiba

    Madiba New Member

    Just a summary..

    The reason I want it classified as a language is so that teachers can stop students speaking ebonics in English classes.So that all kids have a basic grasp of standard English. At that moment the kid can just say I am speaking English and the teacher may say well its not proper English. The Kid could then accuse the teacher of racism, because the kid could claim they are speaking a black way.

    Now the minute you classify it as a language, you can tell the kid to stop speaking ebonics, and they would have to stop because it would be like speaking French in an English classs. It would be a separate language. The result of the classification would be that more Kids would learn standard English.


    This demand nonesense you talking about is missing the point.Its nothing to do with that at all..

    Thats it..
     
  19. LA

    LA Well-Known Member

    Even still, you can't tell student "No slang allowed" in my classroom.

    That would include all kinds of words, even those not considered "Ebonics".

    Words like, dude, knarly, faded, swag, etc.

    Can you imagine the headache that would cause for the teachers and students? It would be a big mess and there would always be conflict over it when the teacher decides to enforce it.

    Many students would not know what they can say or what they cant say and I would imagine they would feel inclined not to express their thoughts because they wouldn't want to be reprimanded or corrected every time they accidentally used some sort of slang.
     
  20. Madiba

    Madiba New Member

    YES YOU CAN SAY NO SLANG IN AN ENGLISH CLASS!

    IT WAS SAID TO ME IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!
     

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