Why do a lot of black people say axe instead of ask?

Question

I really don't understand this. If a black person slips and says 'ask' are they corrected to say 'axe'. I think some Italians say 'axe' too but that seems to be an accent thing.

What's with attacking someone for a having a legitimate question? Please try not to be so defensive.

When I said 'a lot' in my question, that means not all. Also, I have already stated that some in other groups also say axe. Some people seem to be so sensitive about this question they can't even take in all the details of my question. That's not a good thing.

Does it make sense to clarify something that has already been stated. BTW, Grammar has to do with sentence structure and not pronunciation, accents are shared by groups and influence how they pronounce certain words.

Answer 1

that is just our dialect. It has nothing to do with how intelligent we are and not all Blacks speak that way. have a good day

Answer 2

I've noticed that too. I don't understand the education of some people. You don't spell it with an "x" so why pronounce the word with an "x" ? All this ebonics crap just makes you look dumb and no one will ever take anyone serious who talks like that. shakes head.

Answer 3

I have to clarify something for you, it's not just the black person who says axe, I know tons of white and Hispanics that just have that same habit....its called poor grammar and Italians don't say it because of their accent either, they just learned it that way....it always annoyed me too, but as long as I don't speak that way, to each his own....have a happy new year!

Answer 4

i have no idea, im mexican and i do it all the time i can say ask right but im just used to the Calo dialect

Answer 5

Ebonics, which is just bad grammar.

Answer 6

So what? Does it bother you that much? Let people be people. Don't be so thin-skinned. Sorry, but your apparent annoyance to the axe/ask words annoyed me.