[marcav]

I left this forum because I felt that the dialogue was becoming too acrimonious. I did continue it with a black friend of mine and we had a very interesting discussion (yes Bethany, I actually do talk with people of other races ). She told me that neither she nor any of her friends spoke, or were raised in AV speaking households. She did say, however, that those friends of hers who came from less economically stratified communities (she is upper middle class and attended private schools) actually learned it and made the choice to engage in it with friends from their communities when they were older. I think that what we are actually talking about is class; and that people who are poor, working poor or in racially isolated communities tend to speak AV more frequently. She also relayed a story about a black social worker colleague of hers that only spoke AV, and was told by her white supervisor to "clean up" her language. Apparently this social worker had a great talent for motivational speaking, but this criticism did not help her speak standard english, it only served to make her self conscious and ashamed to speak in public. Should she learn SE? Probably, but I question the utility of framing it in a bad/good english context. My friend incidentally, was also as mystified as I was to the negative responses generated by this post.

[Sohmakun]

I have known CC people who talk "slang" and they are often called "trailer trash" so its not just AA people who are looked upon negetively for speaking incorrect English.

[Proud2BHisMom]

Originally Posted by fastaff

My first inital knee jerk response was 'what the heck is AA English?" I'm black and took a little offense to this, but I'm calm now!! Like scatterbrain said your guy will speak as he is taught. The influence around him will play a part just like those crazy sayings like; "whatever...that's hot....are you serious"...I was raised in England so grammar is important to me. I too will correct Abby when she uses incorrect grammar, slang will be for the street not our home. I cringe when I have gone on interviews and the interviwer says " oh, you didn't sound black on the phone"...I don't know if this is meant as a compliment but it is not taken as such. I understand what you mean though by other blacks being suspicious...when I first came to America I had a very strong English accent, my black co-workers didn't speak/like me because they said I sounded too white!! crazy but true. I did change my accent to sound more southern ( I was in Arkansas at the time), which I regret to this day as now I hardly sound English at all...
Good for you though for trying to make yourself aware, this is agreat place to ask questions and remember there are no stupid questions. Continue to educate yourself, your son will thank you later..

God bless
<<<hugs>>>

Being AA, I had the same initial reaction to the post. I don't believe that "ebonics" is another form of speech. Proper English is proper English. I've lost count of how many times I've been told I sound "white" because I don't say things like "where is it at". That's not a compliment. As others have said, children will speak in the manner they've been taught. You are building a good foundation by correcting your son so he knows the proper way to speak. As soon as my son is old enough I will do the same. ;-)