-Aminta Parker
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Black Language, Black Literature, Black Life (Black Women/Black Literature)
“Black English”, a term used to refer to a type of “language” that has been created over a span of years by Blacks. This “language” is distinct, unique and detectable”. For many years, Black English has been viewed as improper, due to its political incorrectness. However, Christina McVay reflects on the beauty of this language. There exists rich history behind this language that Blacks lay claim to. This language’s history exists just as the history of all languages does. From German and Russian, two languages that McVay studied while completing her undergraduate studies, to Spanish and Latin, all languages have a story to tell. Although overlooked by Blacks, Black English has a story to tell that may exceed all languages in its uniqueness and profoundness. From the perspective of Christina McVay, a white professor of Black Literature, Black English is glorified and praised as beautiful; although, not always appropriate. She proclaims this language as legitimate and challenges her Black, female students to believe the same. With this interview taken into account, we may now entertain the idea of Black English as a component of Lingual Literacy. This language expands the parameters of the mind and allows Black people to communicate in a way distinct from “consensus English (Pg. 92). Spanish is a sort of grandchild of Latin; So, Black English can be viewed as a daughter to English. Black English and English are more closely related due to the current use of English versus the near extinction of Latin. This interview does a magnificent job of opening the mind of Black females such as the students of McVay. Black English may not be appropriate in every setting; however, its ability to create a unique experience for the people speaking it proves it to be a force to be reckoned with. Black English acts as a chronological record of the struggles, adaptations and survival of Blacks. It is a strong tie connecting countless generations. Before most other types of literacy, Black English uncovers the presence of Lingual Literacy between generations of Blacks. It is most apparent; yet, so often overlooked. Perhaps now we may open our eyes to the power of our words and the power of Black Literature. The words of Black writers may now be praised as beautiful. John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. Well, Black Life is what happens to you when connect with the past (Africa- the homeland, enslavement and segregation), engage in the present (the current land, freedom and inequality), and pledge to the future (Endless boundaries, authority, and equality).
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I agree with the fact that Black English is the daughter to english and that its not appropriate in every setting.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. It touches on how the black language is overlooked and under appreciated by many people including blacks. I happen to fall guilty to this as well not appreciating the language that blacks have created and labeling it improper.
ReplyDeleteBlack English is something that I am glad we have discovered through the reading of this chapter. I strongly agree with the perspective brought out in this blog about the chapter because it talks about how Black English is something we can be proud of and start to enjoy instead of seeing it as improper.
ReplyDelete-Jasmine Nicole Robinson-
This was a nice reflection from the reading. It is refreshing to know that black people as a whole have a language that connects us to one another.
ReplyDeleteNice touch with the Lennon quote!
-Victoria Stewart
Brittney L. Echols
ReplyDeleteI also thought this was a very interesting point you made. I never thought "black" language was considered legit. It is much more powerful than expected too. I had no idea how language could connect the world in such a way. I also found it interesting how a white female could relate to a classroom of black students on such a personal level. This just goes to show the power of the language itself and how in due time, when people begin to accept the language for what it is, how much people will be able to see they actually have in common and can relate to one another.
You did a good job of standing your point about Black English and its relation to "consensus" English
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe way that Black English is personified here causes me to believe that it is its own being. It sounds so powerful and almost reminds of the different languages such and slang and the different accents that black people have. Instead of just saying that black people are ignorant for the ways that they talk, we are able to acknowledge our own culture as black literature and black life.
ReplyDelete~Sequoia Phillips
It never occured to me to compare Black language to other languages such as Latin and Spanish. I would agree that Black language is similar to both but has a closer relationship to English only because it is derived straight from it. American English is virtually the same as Black language except for its different vocabulary and different flow/feel in its cadence. This point goes against your statement that we Black English and English are more close in relation due to the limited use of Latin. Can we not agree that because English roots itself in Latin and Black English stems from English that this is the reason for their differences?
ReplyDelete-Brittani Goodwin
I agree completely. Like many other people, I tend to change up the way I speak depending on what on the people i am talking to. Whereas, based on the valid points made by both you and Christina McVay, we should all embrace our "Black English". Great blog!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree that I did not realize that Black language was a real language. This new perspective on black language has motivated me to continue to embrace my cultural heritage. My mother would always tell me that there was a time and a place for everything; I am not sure why ruled out black language from this. I once reached a point in life where I tried not to speak black language. Why? Since society had coined it as improper, I also began to have the same mindset. Now instead of conforming to what the majority of society says, I can now embrace it. In addition, having this new perspective presented to me by someone of another ethnicity has made it even more meaningful. At first I believed that it was a person of black descent in the interview with the mindset of “keep hope alive”, but know I know that other ethnicities have recognized and appreciate the Black language as well.
ReplyDelete-Daria Clegg