Is purposely speaking "ghetto" harmless, or just another factor contributing to the erosion of society?

Question

Do you cringe when you hear people make an intentional effort to speak "ghetto?"

It's one thing to grow up exposed to poor grammar and pronunciation. It's another thing to make an intentional effort to emulate poor language because you think it's cool to speak like an ignoramus.

Alica - NO, you made the assumption. Stop putting words in my mouth. There are people born and raised in Beverly Hills speaking "ghetto" nowadays, because it's considered popular.

I use the word "ghetto" to describe the the recent mainstreaming of ebonics into pop culture, music, film, etc., and the hippocracy of people who never stepped foot in the ghetto, yet embrace the language because they think it's "cool."

I certainly do not mean to denigrate people who grew up in the ghetto. I was born in Flushing, Queens.

Answer 1

I think the word "ghetto" is overused and lost it's true meaning. Speaking poor English is not limited to Blacks, but anybody coming from an area with poor eduacation.

It comes from exposure to poor and pronounciation. People learn language during childhood. How properly they speak will depend on how well adults and peers have command over the English language. However, those who grew up in those circumstances can correct this if they put some effort in learning to communicate properly.

Answer 2

Did you just really make the assumption that Ghetto people are the only people who use poor grammar? There are people who were country risen who do not speak the same a city people, there are trailer park risen people who do not necessarily speak the same as Beverly Hills residents. I mean let's not be so stereotypical, poor grammar is due to a poor vocabulary not a poor community. I am from "The Ghetto" and I don't use Ebonics.

Answer 3

It could be either. But in my personal experience it is a bad sign. The people I've known who speak "ghetto" on purpose, are doing it to fit in with gangs. They don't want to be heard sounding educated, because this would separate them from their "homies."

Answer 4

Um, the second one.