DW 2b

Professor Peter L. Patrick created an Ebonics frequently asked questions site and provided some simple answers. On his website through the University of Essex near London, England provides reasons and perceptions of Ebonics as a language and a dialect. He does not say what he thinks it is, but instead gives the reader the opportunity to discover what they think about Ebonics, or African American Vernacular English (AAVE). He discusses how linguists argue over whether it is a language or a dialect and even he admits there is no right answer. His website allows us, as readers, to form our own opinions and judgements so when we see the use of AAVE, we will understand it that much better.

Our in class readings have also discussed the use of AAVE and have actually provided examples of AAVE, especially in the use of digital space. Adam J. Banks' work is in A Reader For Writers and is entitled "Taking Black Technology Use Seriously: African American Discursive Traditions in the Digital Underground." In this piece, a website called BlackPlanet is the primary base of discussion. This website is intended to give blacks a place where they can express themselves. The use of AAVE is very prominent on this website. There are certain rules and regulations that determine that something is considered to be AAVE. In this blog post by a BlackPlanet user, we can see the use of sermonic tone and repetition, "Be Strong. We are not here to play, dream, or drift. we've got hard work to do and heavy loads to lift. Shun not the struggle, for it is God's gift. Be Strong (107)." It is obvious to hear and see the use of AAVE in this passage. It is obvious that this particular user is a typical AAVE speaker and uses it in her everyday life.

We can read passages such as these and see how they are considered to be AAVE. It is obvious that many people speak this but we still do not know if it is a language or a dialect. When we see a passage such as the one in the previous paragraph, it is easy to think back to the thoughts of Professor Peter L. Patrick and determine what we think about the passage. From my interpretation of the passage I would conclude that AAVE is a language. It is obvious that the rhetoric features are very much AAVE features. However, when you read Patrick's page, you realize that in fact, the passage still follows many similar features of Standard English. This is very conflicting viewpoints. This one passage could be written in both, its own language, or a dialect of english. Which is it? I don't think we will ever really know what to consider AAVE. The important thing is that people in this world speak it and those of us who do not, are able to recognize it and still understand it. Patrick's ideas give us a background to AAVE but it is our own perception that really matters. If we can learn to accept the use of this language or dialect then the world will become a stronger place. As long as we can all be understood, that is all that ultimately matters.