AAVE stands for African American Venacular English
2007-03-16 06:27:23 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I feel like it should be - but they why are there terms that have been coined such as "Ut-Oh Oreo", and "Wigger", etc. I think we should learn each others culture and try and appreciate each other's backgrounds.
2007-03-16 06:35:54 · update #1
Great question!
As a linguist, I believe that all languages and dialects are of equal communicative value. Therefore, there should be no problem using AAVE; it's just as good for communication as any other dialect.
In practice, people judge dialects by the groups who speak them. So, while AAVE is an excellent communicative system, because of its association with a discriminated group (black people), many consider it to be "bad English". Such people would then not want to learn the dialect, since using it would associate them with a low-status group.
In that sense, no, it's not socially acceptable, because it would associate a person with a group that doesn't have high social status.
2007-03-16 17:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like my son said: "the most pitiful person around is a poser" - somebody who is pretending to be something they're not. Like all the white guys talking about "bling" except as a joke. Pastors trying to be cool and saying things to their church like "Pimp the Pastor's Ride."
Now, if Ebonics was a real language that were not mutually intelligible with English, that would be different. Then you could learn it to communicate with people you could not otherwise talk to. Also, if you want to learn it to understand others, or just because you're interested, that seems OK too.
But it's not a language - at most, it's a dialect. Ebonics speakers understand normal English, and standard English speakers understand (after learning some specialized vocab, which is a problem common to all dialects) Ebonics speakers.
Don't be a poser. I mean, say you're from the South. Would you enjoy it if a Chinese guy came in and aped your accent exaggeratedly? That's pretty much how we would come across to them. They'd either make fun of you or be insulted, which is probably not what you want to get across!
2007-03-16 08:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by Gary B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The use of Ebonics is irritating to me because I feel that people who use it (race doesn't matter) have never bothered to learn proper grammar or English.
If I can take the time to speak properly, why can't others? Also, with the use of terms that mean something other in Ebonics as opposed to what the same terms mean in proper English. it leaves me wondering what on earth people are trying to say.
For instance, I watched a movie once when a teenager was saying "You down wit me?" I took that to mean "Are you ok with this?" I could be wrong.
Granted I'm no teenager. I'm an adult in my late 30s. I don't think Ebonics has any place in our society. It's not a language...it's simply slang. If one teen wants to speak to another teen using Ebonics, they are likely to understand what each other are saying. When teens are talking to adults, they need to speak properly. I think Ebonics will fade out over time.
2007-03-16 13:09:02 · answer #3 · answered by emt_me911 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it isn't acceptable for anyone to speak in ebonics (or the seemingly more politically correct AAVE). poor grammar (which is what ebonics is essentially) is inexcusable in any situation.
no matter what your nationality, you should make it a point to speak the language of the country you are in to the best of your abilities. if you are visiting a foreign country, use a book or learn the language before you travel. it's okay to not know everything but to try your best. accepting ebonics as a dialect defeats the entire concept of studying english and grammar in school and makes a mockery of the educational system and the english language.
2007-03-16 06:42:28 · answer #4 · answered by reverseparanoia 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you are wanting to work in the music business or hip hop or rap where that would be appropriate, you would need to understand it. If you need to work in any other field at all or work in a job where you need to look educated or pass an interview process, you are out the minute you open your mouth, especially if you aren't of African descent.
In general, it makes you look ignorant and if you aren't of African descent, it makes you look ignorant and confused. And I am not sure that it wouldn't be insulting to folks that really do have that heritage. If you live in America, your folks came from somewhere - why don't you learn that language and enrich your own cultural heritage??
Just a thought
Rowena
2007-03-16 07:09:22 · answer #5 · answered by Rowena 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My Fiance's opinion:
Ebonics is their way of being lazy and not learning proper English. Does Condaleza Rice speak like this ... I think not!
Colin Powell?? Not on your life!
They don't speak like that to be "white" they speak like that because they want people to know that they are educated.
You know what, the African American community and Martin Luther King,Jr. spent years and years trying to reverse segregation and modern African American's are trying to use all that was fought for and won by the great leaders like MLK and Jessie Jackson to segregate themselves by their own choice. Trying to make ebonics an offical language and by creating a pseudo holiday (Kwanza) instead of being part of America is in fact segregating themselves. It is being lazy by not learning the English language, in the same way that they allow spanish speaking schools. Come on lets all learn proper English and get along! =) After almost 4 Generations of being African American their "culture" IS American. Now I do understand that the more recent immigrants to America should hold to their customs and learn new American customs. That doesn't mean they can't celebrate their own heritage but they have come to America to better their own lives and the lives of their children and make use of the opportunities that America has to offer.
2007-03-16 06:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is socially unacceptable to speak bad English in general. Having said that, when all people are around people close to them, their language skills usually skip a little. But the bigger point is, do you speak it to make yourself feel more comfortable around black people or do you speak it to everyone? If it is your normal way of speaking, then whatever. But if you do it for the former reason, it will seem as though you are trying to either make fun of people or be something you are not, neither of which anyone likes. And believe me, people can tell the difference. Either way, just be yourself, and speak the way you speak naturally.
2007-03-16 10:03:47 · answer #7 · answered by whosbotheringme2000 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No matter what it's called, it is tacky and is a sign of low or no intelligence; it is the language of the thug. Would you hire someone coming in for an interview talking that ebonics nonsense?
2007-03-16 06:33:35 · answer #8 · answered by element_op 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Only if you want to convince everyone you talk to that you are a subliterate imbicile. It also looks like you're trying to be something you're not. Nobody likes a poser.
2007-03-16 11:17:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. It is a very silly, stereotypical, useless, pointless, and unintelligent thing to do... regardless of race. Like the bumper sticker says:
"welcome to America - now speak English!"
2007-03-16 13:05:55 · answer #10 · answered by barefoot_always 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋