This has puzzled me for years and even black friends don't appear to know the answer! They even write 'axe' instead of 'ask' but no-one appears to know why.
2007-01-15 10:02:40 · 34 answers · asked by wendy k 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Vernacular_English
This article answers your question. "Aks" was the original Anglo-Saxon form, so the dialect that black people speak retained that original form. At some point in history the standard dialect transposed the sounds, making the word "ask". In other words, the newer forms of English are the ones that have switched it. African-American English is not a degraded version of the standard form.
2007-01-15 10:17:12 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say that all black Americans say "axe".. at least not the educated blacks. I've know many blacks, some good friends.. I found that blacks who have a lower education, or hang out with wannabe gangsters talk like crap.. so do white trash people, "y'all".. If they where raised in America, went to school in America, and still write out the axe.. then they're idiots!
2007-01-15 10:16:58 · answer #2 · answered by Wicked 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hmmm. I say PO-lice (that is how it is spelled). That is like asking why people in New England Pahk the cah and in Texas they warsh the car Ya'll. I have never know anyone to write axe in place of ask. Maybe it is regional?
2007-01-15 10:25:49 · answer #3 · answered by Enchanted Gypsy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's racism but it is a generalization however. I know I've never said axe instead of ask. It's slang - they're probrably into the habit of saying those things.
2007-01-15 10:21:47 · answer #4 · answered by Tee 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Are you the same person who has asked things before about Blacks, and always say even your Black friends do not know? I think you are prejudice and are making all your questions up.
2007-01-15 10:07:54 · answer #5 · answered by Shossi 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't ax me I wonder the same.
2016-08-20 07:52:21 · answer #6 · answered by coronet_rt_1969 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plain bad English grammar and pronunciation. People don't have to be black or any specific colour to muck it up.
Me, I learned to say prolly from mates. It would not have bee tolerated in our house when I was growing up. The difference is I know when is okay to say prolly instead of probably.
---That Cheek Lad
2007-01-15 10:10:26 · answer #7 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I get sick of these stupid childish question .Do you think that we all speak and act the same way .Do all white people act and speak the same way .No matter what country you are from .People from different parts of that country .No matter their skin tone will speak a certain way .And even within regions there's local traits .
2007-01-15 10:53:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I second the "where are you from".... no one around here says "axe"! (well.. at least instead of "ask"... I suppose it would come up sometimes, if we were talking about chopping wood or something...)
2007-01-15 10:32:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
lmao yeah it is'nt racism, so I hopped that no one is gettin offended!! Not all of them do just some, I notice some say turd when saying third aswell! Just the way they are bought up and all that jazz I think!
2007-01-15 10:18:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋