Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 3 February 1994 — Page 6

The Muncie Times, Thursday, February 3,1994, Page 6

Black English gets bad rap; has contributed to formal English

¥ n celebration of Black History Month, I’d I like to dedicate this column to the inA genuity of our people, past and present, who have developed a language system which has enabled communication, survival, identity, and hope. Although today’s society has mixed feelings about the message of the hip-hop, yo-rapper generation, we should not deny a unique means of communication, that in many instances signalled specific codes and announced the hope of freedom. Throughout history, despite all other ethnic groups using a dialect other than formal English, blacks have been regarded as using a butchered vocabulary that was indicative of a ghetto environment. This speech pattern is often called Black English. Educators, etymologists, and sociologists have said that dialects vary from the dominant language in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical rules. Often Black English is seen as offensive, and those who speak it are thought to be illiterate. People outside the black culture are often known to say, “Don’t act black” or “Don’t talk black.” While formal or standard English is the accepted language of our society, Black English is more than the consequence of illiteracy. It is a system embedded in the black culture, as a result of imposed illiteracy. Language is a very powerful tool. In the days of slavery, owners hoped to keep slaves powerless by outlawing their African language. It was believed that if slaves only spoke English, they could not make secret plans. At the same time, slaves who spoke formal English could be severely punished and were accused of learning to read or being “uppity.” In order not to appear “uppity” slaves developed their own language system and sentence structure. Black English also grew out of the need to communicate, without the white community being able to understand. African and American words were combined to form

codes and passwords. Many expressions have passed from generation to generation and though formal English is desirable to use in the school and work setting, Black English is often used (even outside the ghetto) around peers, family, and within the community. Some phrases originally considered black slang are now common in mainstream America. For example “OK” originated from the African word Yaw Kay. Another term originating with the African American slaves is “the real McCoy.” Music, known as the universal language, played a big part in communication among our ancestors. Spirituals, the earliest African American music, were brought from Africa. In Africa, people had music and special rhythms for everything they did. In America, slaves did not have fancy instruments but just the same could use music to call out a message and have others answer them. For example, while working in a field, someone would start a song. Others would answer, until everyone joined in. The people were very creative and made up songs on the spot. They sang songs about pain, agony and death, but they also sang about love, justice and mercy and a strong belief in God. Not permitted by slave owners to get together, the only reason they could meet was to celebrate their belief in God. One of the songs they sang which came from Africa, Kumbaya, is still popular today. African Americans also sang songs about

freedom and escaping which were disguised as spirituals. There was a ship called Jesus that helped slaves get away. When the message was to run away, they would sing “Steal Away to Jesus”. They also sang “Down by the Riverside” to tell people where to go to escape. Other songs that sent messages were “Get on Board-Little Children,” and “The Old Ship of Zion.” The words are “Tis the old ship of Zion. It has landed many a thousand. Get on Board.” From the slave ancestors to the rappers, blacks have used an intriguing form of communication, just as reading and writing express ideas and relate experiences. While literacy describes an interwoven process of reading and writing, the range of experience between birth and the time we receive formal instruction is called emergent literacy. Since literacy and development begin at a very early age, we learn language through everyday experiences. When we find ourselves in the position to facilitate experiences and to become a part of the learning process we should remember that while standard English is the accepted, conventional way to communicate, we are a diverse society. Instead of being negative become open about differences and discuss the many ways language can be used. Many things make each person unique in our society including: biology, ethnicity and culture, family life, beliefs, geography and range of experiences. Be a proponent for literacy, enjoy and share the print media, but the next time you encourage the use of formal English you may just want to say,“You Go Girl.” Here are some words with African Origin: Hipi (hip), Cat (cat), Goy (guy), Dega (dig), Tota (tote). Source: America's African American Heritage. Westridge, 1993, by John Muir Publications, Young Writer’s Workshop.

The Muncie Times Third Anniversary Celebration 7 p.m., Friday, March 25,1994 at The Horizon Center Featuring a celebrity Fashion Show