The Ebonics Dialect - Research Paper Example

The Ebonics Dialect Paper Wallace (48) talks about how the use of proper English is an issue of importance not only a few people. He compares grammar purists to computer nerds who are very few in the society. However, he argues that for a grammar nerd (or snoot as he calls them), they have much more opportunity to practice their glory moments because language is everywhere and is used every time. Orwell (5) on the other hand has a different way of looking at issues with regard to how language is used and utilized in the modern world. In his article, he argues that the view that language has a natural growth trajectory is wrong, but that rather, the way language grows is controlled by humans as opposed to language growing on its own. As Wilson (89) says, the way people attach certain meanings to various words and phrases is what gives language meaning. Orwell is likely to have a different view of the usage of the N word from Wallace. First, it is important to understand that the N word has evolved over the last few decades. From the derogatory word Negro, the ebonic word Nigga has been derived, especially among the African American community. Unlike the derogatory nature of the word from which the Nigga is used, the word Nigga is used as a word of respect in among the African American community. Orwell would agree with this kind of language shift and may be appreciate the fact that this kind of development is necessary for the growth of language. However, a person like Wallace would have reservation against the use of this word and see this as a negative change from the requirements of language. Wallace admits to being a language nerd, the kind who looks to make sure that every rule has been observed. In this regard, he would most likely object to the N word, either in the form of Nigga, or Negro. This is because the word Nigga could be seen by a grammar expert as an informal word while Negro is seen as offensive and derogatory (Ernest 145). As a result, for a person like Wallace, he would probably have a problem with the use of this world. Orwell on the other hand seems to have a different view of the rules of language. He argues that the way people modify language leads to the way language plays out in politics, and then the political affects the way people modify language. In this regard, he is most likely to appreciate the fact that language grows in such ways that maintain archaic rules of grammar may neither be necessary nor feasible. As an English teacher, Curzan talks about teaching grammar and grammar rules. She starts her article by talking about two incidents that happened to her at the university. In both instances, she was confronted about her students using wrong grammar. She admits that she has mentioned to her students that sometimes they are allowed to break some grammar rules as long as they do it in an understandable way, or if they show their professional understanding such as placing a disclaimer in the form of a footnote. Curzan seems to be liberal in the way she looks at language and grammar rules. He seems to understand that the grammar rules were made for people and people were not crated for grammar rules. In other words, her argument would be that if a grammar rule or convention is not serving a positive purpose in a certain situation, then maybe it is best to ignore it and do what seem to be more in line with the communication needs at that particular time. This indicates that Curzan would probably have no problem with the usage of the N word. Although the usage of the N word is not so much of a grammatical issue as it is a moral issue with regard to use of language, it can be argued that linguists who are keen to adhere to language rules are more likely to avoid such words that have negative political connotation. However, for people like Curzan would likely have no issue with the N word, due to the fact that she appreciates the fact that rules are there to be used. The political connotation of the two forms of the N word must be appreciated in that it has changed meaning. Curzan would appreciate that the N word in that she is more open to the development of language and how it must be applied to communicate. Unlike many professional English experts such as Wallace, she seem to have a more liberal way of looking at language (Jameson 71). She also seems to appreciate the fact that even though grammar and language syntax and rules are necessary for the sustenance of sanity in the language, she appreciates that some changes and some modification are necessary if proper communication is needed to be achieved. This is contrary to what Wallace would say. Yet, even though Wallace is old school with regard to the way grammar and language rules should be applied, he also admits that the rest of the society does not care so much about these rules. In some way, it can be said that Wallace is also admitting, albeit in an implicit way, that language rules need to be changed and broken in order for language to have meaning to the larger society. In essence, since Wallace is admitting that it is only the language experts like him who care about the intricate language rules and standards, it then makes little sense that these language rules should be so important. After all, language is not just a tool for professionals, but a social tool that is used by all individuals in a society. This means that these rules are only as important as the number of people who care for them (Watson 158). Orwell seems to understand this very well and appreciates that language is an evolutionary phenomena. If language in its very essence is evolutionary, then its rules and standards must be seen as evolutionary as well and must be adjusted. It is important to note that it is not that people like Orwell and Curzan do not appreciate the need for language rules; they just feel that since language is not static, the rules should not be either. In another article, Curzan (339-352) talks about the variation of language and how this applies to the modern society. She says that although it is necessary to teach the standards of language with regard language dialects and language diverseness, it is also necessary to understand that language is not just as a way to communicate, but it is also a tool. In her own words, she says; “….we have a responsibility not only to provide students with linguistic information about standard and nonstandard varieties of the language but also to provide them the framework in which to think critically about the social and political educational implications of language variation.” - Curzan (339-352) This is in line with what Orwell talks about in his article, “Politics and the English Language” Curzan (339-352) says seems to appreciate that language is not just a matter of rules and syntax, but rather a social tool that must be understood in the context of how the society deals with and uses it not only for communication but also for sociopolitical interactions. This has a fundamental impact on the kind of attitudes that Curzan (339-352) has with regard to the N word. She is likely to believe that the N word is not just a derogatory word, but has a fundamental social meaning. Among the black people, Nigga is used by people, especially young males as a word of appreciation and not as a word of demeaning the other person. It is another meaning for respect and brotherhood and its meaning is far removed from the meaning of the older version, negro. Not only that, it also depends of who is using it and in what context. A black person may not appreciate the better meaning of the N word when used by another black person, preferably a best friend and not any other person. This is what both Curzan (339-352) and Orwell, are talking about with regard to the issue of language use and development. It is very clear that attitude towards language and language standards can have an impact on the way a person appreciates the growth of language. Professionals like Curzan and Orwell seem to have a different way in which they look at the issue of language and language standards. The evolutionary nature of language also means that the standards of language are subject to change. Even if these standards do not change, the way they are applied must be changed and it is necessary to make sure that language is not seen to be static. It is necessary to appreciate the use of language as a tool that changes in order to suit the requirements of a society at a specific time. At the same time, society also changes and this also changes the way language is looked at. For instance, with regard to the N word, the history of slavery and the civil rights development for people of color has changed the way this word is regarded. Works Cited Curzan, Anne. "Says Who? Teaching and Questioning the Rules of Grammar." The charlgilg profession, (2009): pp. 814-872. Print. Curzan, Anne. "Teaching the Politics of Standard English." Journal of English Linguistics. 30, 4 (2002): pp. 339-352. Print. Ernest, Wolfang. Offensive Lnaguage: Idenitifyign Political and Social Connotations in Modern Lnaguage. New York, NY: Pearson Books, 2014. Print. Jameson, Donnel. The English Lnaguage: Can Linguistic Advantage Lead to Political Advantage? Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2011. Print. Orwell, George. "Politics and the English Language," ." (1946): pp. 89. Wallace, David. "Tense Present: Democracy, English, and the Wars over Usage." Harpers Magazine, (2001): pp. 39-58. Print. Watson, Bullock. Mind Your Language: The Rules of Grammar and Language Standards. London, UK: Lippincott, 2012. Print. Wilson, Patricks. Modern Language and Politics. New York, NY: Pearson Books, 2014. Print. Read More