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Holy Crap!
Jan. 5th, 2004 08:15 amThe newspaper published my letter to the editor! I don't believe it! This is the second time I've sent something in, and I'm just in total shock that I was published. Squee!!!
Okay, here's the story. A week or so ago, the paper published a bunch of new words that came into usage in 2003. Now, whether or not they're actually used isn't the point, but they were words like: izzle, crunked, Governator, Gropeanator, etc. Stupid, silly slang words that will probably fade out before this month is done.
Some man wrote in complaining about the paper publishing them. He said they were words that bastardize the English language and inferred they were "ebonics". And that just pissed me off because, no, they are not Black English, the words are slang. Black English is completely different. It's defined by how language is used (and it does follow it's own rules and grammar structures) and not what words (well, not solely).
Besides, saying that new words such as the ones above are bastardizing Enlgish and the American lexicon and ruining the language is stupid. Language is always changing, yo, and has been since day one.
So, I wrote my letter:
Black English, or Ebonics, is a dialectical language structure used by a specific portion of the population. It uses its own language and grammar structures, word usage, and meanings. Words like "izzle" or "crunked" are slang. They are words introduced into the English language, used by a large portion, and may or may not eventually fade.
English itself is a bastardized language. Every day we use words that have been appropriated over time. Language is a living, dynamic thing and just because something is new, popular, or used predominantly by a minority group, does not make it less valid. Every year, new words are introduced into the dictionary so it can more accurately represent the growth of our language. Instead of "thee" or "thou", we now say "you" or "yours". Language changes.
You can't stop progress, you can't stop change, and you certainly cannot fault a newspaper for printing new additions to our living language.
* * *
I still can't believe I was published. I want to track down my language minority education professor and show her. She's the one who got me excited aboutn this kind of stuff (damn her; it *should* be borning, and yet, I can't get enough. I actually bought "Other People's Children" by Lisa Delpit for pleasure reading).
Anyway, I'm stoked. Bouncing. And, sadly, there's *no one* home to share my excitement with. I had to call my dad at work. My best friend is next, and then probably my brother.
Squee!!!!
Okay, here's the story. A week or so ago, the paper published a bunch of new words that came into usage in 2003. Now, whether or not they're actually used isn't the point, but they were words like: izzle, crunked, Governator, Gropeanator, etc. Stupid, silly slang words that will probably fade out before this month is done.
Some man wrote in complaining about the paper publishing them. He said they were words that bastardize the English language and inferred they were "ebonics". And that just pissed me off because, no, they are not Black English, the words are slang. Black English is completely different. It's defined by how language is used (and it does follow it's own rules and grammar structures) and not what words (well, not solely).
Besides, saying that new words such as the ones above are bastardizing Enlgish and the American lexicon and ruining the language is stupid. Language is always changing, yo, and has been since day one.
So, I wrote my letter:
Black English, or Ebonics, is a dialectical language structure used by a specific portion of the population. It uses its own language and grammar structures, word usage, and meanings. Words like "izzle" or "crunked" are slang. They are words introduced into the English language, used by a large portion, and may or may not eventually fade.
English itself is a bastardized language. Every day we use words that have been appropriated over time. Language is a living, dynamic thing and just because something is new, popular, or used predominantly by a minority group, does not make it less valid. Every year, new words are introduced into the dictionary so it can more accurately represent the growth of our language. Instead of "thee" or "thou", we now say "you" or "yours". Language changes.
You can't stop progress, you can't stop change, and you certainly cannot fault a newspaper for printing new additions to our living language.
* * *
I still can't believe I was published. I want to track down my language minority education professor and show her. She's the one who got me excited aboutn this kind of stuff (damn her; it *should* be borning, and yet, I can't get enough. I actually bought "Other People's Children" by Lisa Delpit for pleasure reading).
Anyway, I'm stoked. Bouncing. And, sadly, there's *no one* home to share my excitement with. I had to call my dad at work. My best friend is next, and then probably my brother.
Squee!!!!
