California school district to "affirm" ebonics

[Tsuyoiko]

1. The term Black English may give the impression that only or mostly Black Americans speak like this, which is really far from the truth. Imo, Ebonics is a better, broader term.

Definition from www.dictionary.com

Ebonics

n : a nonstandard form of American English spoken by some Black people in the United States

So Black English is probably a better term as it conveys the same meaning and will be understood by more people.

For anyone interested, here is the etymology of 'Ebonics':

From www.etymonline.com/

Ebonics

"African-American vernacular English," 1975, as title of a book by R.L. Williams, a blend of ebony and phonics.

 

[lexico]

Useful info; esp. about Ebonics being derived from Ebon- + (ph)-onics.

But what is phonics ? Wasn't it a commercialized teaching method for entry level children of spelling ? Or was it just a convenient way of saying that the writing system will emphasise the speech sounds, and will not be burndened by Stantdard English spelling/pronunciation ?

 

[Tsuyoiko]

The second one, in this case.

 

[cicatriz esp]

Definition from www.dictionary.com

Ebonics

n : a nonstandard form of American English spoken by some Black people in the United States

So Black English is probably a better term as it conveys the same meaning and will be understood by more people.

This definition is quite flawed though, as black Americans are by far not the only ethnic group to use this dialect, even though it originated with them. But you're right, Ebonics is a vague term.