EBONICALLY SPEAKING Ebonics ~ African American Vernacular English: a nonstandard form of American English characteristically spoken by African Americans in the United States. BACK IN 1997, as a college student living in Northern California, I decided to write a paper on Ebonics. At the time, the media was focused on the Oakland School Boards decision to educate its teachers on Ebonics as a way to overcome communication challenges with Black students. I quickly learned the following: Ebonics IS NOT slang Ebonics IS a linguistic study Ebonics IS NOT the language popularized by Snoop Dogg Ebonics IS a clever variation of English that evolved from slavery EBONICS, or African American Vernacular English, incorporates the phonics of various African languages. It is important to remember that as a result of the slave trade, Blacks were denied access to education. What many of us learned, we had to teach ourselves. That includes speaking and writing English. In addition, we were forced to socialize with other Africans that did not speak the same language and we had to create a way to communicate with them. THE CREATION and evolution of Ebonics is clever. What is not clever is perpetuating the use of this language system and not ensuring our children learn Standard English. An adult is better able to determine the proper place and time to use Standard English. A child is not always able to do so. Limiting the use of Standard English in your home will limit your children’s possibilities. It will have a direct impact on their ability to communicate with their peers, teachers and inhibit their academic progress. Once you recognize the need to do better, you must take the opportunity to do so. Tips To Increase Your Childs’ Vocabulary: Read Early, Read Often ~ It’s never too early to start reading to your child. Even if it’s only 10 minutes a day, it will make a difference. Use New Words ~ Better to talk up, than talk down. Take opportunities to use words your child isn’t familiar with during conversation. Explain the meaning and look up the word together. Hit The Library With Intention ~ Don’t just go to the library, go to the library on a mission. Learn your child’s reading level and ask the librarian for books that will interest your child and help them to the next level. Make It Fun ~ Do word search puzzles? They have them for kids too. Turn learning new words into a game by playing Scrabble, internet word games or by signing your child up for reading incentive programs at the local library. Be An Example ~ If you forgo reading and writing for television, your kids will too. Be a an example of what it looks like to continually to stretch your intellect and it will come naturally for your children.

EBONICALLY SPEAKING

Ebonics ~ African American Vernacular English: a nonstandard form of American English characteristically spoken by African Americans in the United States.

BACK IN 1997, as a college student living in Northern California, I decided to write a paper on Ebonics. At the time, the media was focused on the Oakland School Boards decision to educate its teachers on Ebonics as a way to overcome communication challenges with Black students.

I quickly learned the following:

  • Ebonics IS NOT slang
  • Ebonics IS a linguistic study
  • Ebonics IS NOT the language popularized by Snoop Dogg
  • Ebonics IS a clever variation of English that evolved from slavery

EBONICS, or African American Vernacular English, incorporates the phonics of various African languages. It is important to remember that as a result of the slave trade, Blacks were denied access to education. What many of us learned, we had to teach ourselves. That includes speaking and writing English. In addition, we were forced to socialize with other Africans that did not speak the same language and we had to create a way to communicate with them.

THE CREATION and evolution of Ebonics is clever. What is not clever is perpetuating the use of this language system and not ensuring our children learn Standard English. An adult is better able to determine the proper place and time to use Standard English. A child is not always able to do so. Limiting the use of Standard English in your home will limit your children’s possibilities. It will have a direct impact on their ability to communicate with their peers, teachers and inhibit their academic progress. Once you recognize the need to do better, you must take the opportunity to do so.

Tips To Increase Your Childs’ Vocabulary:

  1. Read Early, Read Often ~ It’s never too early to start reading to your child. Even if it’s only 10 minutes a day, it will make a difference.
  2. Use New Words ~ Better to talk up, than talk down. Take opportunities to use words your child isn’t familiar with during conversation. Explain the meaning and look up the word together.
  3. Hit The Library With Intention ~ Don’t just go to the library, go to the library on a mission. Learn your child’s reading level and ask the librarian for books that will interest your child and help them to the next level.
  4. Make It Fun ~ Do word search puzzles? They have them for kids too. Turn learning new words into a game by playing Scrabble, internet word games or by signing your child up for reading incentive programs at the local library.
  5. Be An Example ~ If you forgo reading and writing for television, your kids will too. Be a an example of what it looks like to continually to stretch your intellect and it will come naturally for your children.

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