Holy Crap!

[serafina20]

The 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!!!!

Comments

[theatlien.livejournal.com]

*Kiss you* I want everyone to read this.

[theatlien.livejournal.com]

Yikes! I just realize it's friendslocked. Le sigh.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I'll un-lock it. I guess it doesn't matter all that much.

:: high fives serafina ::

[mos-self.livejournal.com]

good for you! i found your letter to be well-worded and concise and right on. and that guy is just a fuss-budget and then some.

Re: :: high fives serafina ::

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so flying over this. :P

[happyminion.livejournal.com]

Woo! Go you!

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks!

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

What Wendi said. Rock on, sister!

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I will! *starts dancing* Thanks!

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

As a one-time linguistics major and a firm believer in everything you said, I salute you. Nicely done!

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Wow, linguistics major; now I feel vaidated. ;)

[allpurposegirl.livejournal.com]

This English major thanks you kindly.

::applauds::

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! And thanks for your applause. They are much appreciated.

[mlleelizabeth.livejournal.com]

Excellent letter, Serafina! The newspaper did well to publish it.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I was really shocked they did. I had no idea how long it woudl take, and when it wasn't published by Saturday, figured they weren't interested in a rebuttle. When I saw the letter, at first I didn't realize it was mine. My first thought was, "Oh, good; someone responded." And then I saw my name. *blushes* I hadn't had my coffee yet.

[graysong.livejournal.com]

*hi fives serafina*

Good job!! I love it when a person's own argument is used against them! LOL

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I love it when a person's own argument is used against them!

His argument was so stupid to begin with. English languague, pure? *snorts* It was a great joy to throw it back in his face; I just wish I could have thought of some better examples.

Thanks for the comment!

[tigress35.livejournal.com]

Yay! You go!

[ilexa.livejournal.com]

Sweetie!!! That's a *great* letter. God, there's nothing I love more than an intelligent response to stupidity. Cause around here in Journalism Land, we get *MANY* stupid responses to intelligence and stupidity. It's damn frustrating. I adore language, and you're absolutely right; it's always changing and evolving. *mwah*! Go, smart girl! Go!

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I almost didn't respond. When I read the letter, I started ranting and raving to my father, but I didn't think I'd be able to get the letter in under the actual word limit, so I wasn't going to try. Then I realized how stupid it was not to try, so I sat down and wrote it. Once it was written, it was so easy to send it.

Thanks so much for the comment! I'm flying today.

[pun.livejournal.com]

Congrats! That's excelelnt. And I don't blame you for gtting steamed. That guy seriously needed to be put in his place. You tell 'em, girl!

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

That guy seriously needed to be put in his place.

He really did. I mean, fine if he doesn't think that a paper should waste their time on publishing faddish slang that's going to be gone in a week (because, honestly, I'd never heard of half the terms on the list) but to call it "ebonics" and thing that it was okay .... *grrr*

Thanks for the comment!