I'm freaking out :(

[GrenadianCrix 1]

Cool!!! Nah we didnt have a class for that in high school. Since I was in Georgia, however, I lived in a black family (i already mentioned that somewhere) and I studied and was friends woth a bunch of black people. I loved to listen to it but I was not understanding anything ))) My host parents had such a kick out of it...I mean they spoke regular English but when i was coming to school trying to speak Ebonics they found it sort of...well....hilarious seeing a moldovan white girl (while in the process of learning basic english to begin with) pronouncing words with a black accent

I kinda know what it means though. While under the soviet union, Romanian language we spoke on the Moldovan territory got so mixed with russian ( mandatory back then) that right now we speak a very weird russified romanian. It's not thought in schools...but there is no way we can get rid of it

I know how you must have felt to some degree. I've been in Grenada for a year and a half. Everyone here speaks English so I didn't have to learn a new language, however when I was living with a host family myself, I would wake up in the morning and hear people walking by the house on the way to work in the bush. I would have to remind myself that it was in fact english even though I couldn't understand one single word of it. Here english is the official language, in the home the dialect is thick and full of the french/british history. But standard english is also taught in schools as it is recognized as important to communicate with the world at large. It is sad, many of the Caribbean island that used to have a rich patios or creole language, (pidgin english/french) have lost it due to British colonization tring to eliminate anything that isn't english. Only the very old can speak the patios here. But in Dominica and St. Lucia there is a huge national revival to mantain the creole for future generations, most everyone is bi-lingual.

My fiance laughs at me sometimes because I have picked up on a lot of the 'Grenadian' language I hear all the time. I get told that I don't sound very much like an American. I can only imagine someone from Moldova coming here and adding that accent to the mix! hahaha

If you are interested, there are books on the Ebonics debate. I'm sure you could probably get a hold of a copy through ebay or amazon or anywhere you can get used books. Sadly you will not encounter much black american dialect in Maine, it's a pretty boring state. Portland has a large and growing immigrant population, many from Africa and Asia but outside of the city, it s pretty much caucasion with only a few minor exceptions.

But you'll love it there, I know I do!

Sue

[JoeMama 0]

Ebonics in public schools would have allowed local teachers to speak in a local dialect while teaching certain subjects and then to use Standard English during English class.

I remember when this big promotion of Ebonics was occuring, "local dialect" was not mentioned. That is one thing. But where were the majority of children born attending US public schools? More likely the U.S., correct? That push for government funding, we as a nation witnessed, was for it to be taught in public schools coast-to-coast. I remember the rallies going on in Oakland and Los Angeles. I cannot be convinced there were that many parents of the children attending school at that time had immigrated here speaking an Ebonics dialect.

I go to Ukraine where my fiancee lives. Just like Elena being from Moldova, they were forced to speak Russian under communist rule. Me being an American, I knew I was going to another country. I certainly did not want them catering to me and telling them to only speak English. Out of respect, I learned the language and get around fine without the assistance of an interpreter. I have respect for ANY country and their local language. Please do not think I am insulting another dialect or languages spoken in other countries. Because I am not. I want to make it perfectly clear that I am only referring to "laziness" in actually learning to speak properly and/or the "refusal" of not wanting to learn the official language where one chooses to live.

This way children would not miss out on content but would also learn the standard english needed to succeed in the public world.

On this one, I don't see how substituting one language to take the place of the official language was going to help them learn any faster or properly. It must be obvious that standards of this society are constatly lowered to cater to those who really do not make the effort to actually learn. I doesn't matter where they are from. The requirements for becoming a U.S. citizen long ago, used to require knowing at least some quotes from The Constitution, The Preamble, Gettsburg Address, etc., before being becoming naturalized. I would really hate to see the beginning words of The Constitution being changed over time to, "Weez Da Peepo O Da Unight Stades...". Don't think that example is pointed toward any one race. I live in California and this is how I hear a lot young children, teenagers, and adults of EVERY skin color speak this way. I know they are not being taught this in school...it is coming from another sub-culture of music.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

GrenadaCrix: I LOVE Portland! When I went to college in Maine (Bah Habah) I remember hearing that the state was around 97% Caucasian, but that the three % non-white population lived in Portland. Regardless, I loved it there, and would consider moving to Portland!

Working and living in a highly diverse urban area, I've gotten used to hearing non-standard English from native speakers, and also most people I speak with have highly accented English since there's a large immigrant population. The English I speak is dubbed "paycheck English."

[GrenadianCrix 1]

GrenadaCrix: I LOVE Portland! When I went to college in Maine (Bah Habah) I remember hearing that the state was around 97% Caucasian, but that the three % non-white population lived in Portland. Regardless, I loved it there, and would consider moving to Portland!

Working and living in a highly diverse urban area, I've gotten used to hearing non-standard English from native speakers, and also most people I speak with have highly accented English since there's a large immigrant population. The English I speak is dubbed "paycheck English."

Paycheck english? I don't get it...does that mean the english that is only spoken at work? That's kinda funny.

In the village I live in right now, there are a few British people. Sometimes the little kids tell me I 'doh talk English as good as 'dem' It makes me laugh 'cause I think the kids are right.

I've often said that I should get credit for being bi-lingual for being able to speak American English and Grenadian English. But I don't think Grad schools will buy it...lol.

When I get back to Maine you are all invited to come visit.

Sue

altimixdj,

Truce? I think we may have to agree to disagree. I see the primary language issue having nothing to do with laziness however I see you are not trying to insult anyone here. It's certainly something that we should all think about given the always growing number of immigrants to the US. I once read an article in Newsweek that was questioning who's version of English is more 'right'? After all, the countries and populations that speak English have grown significantly throughout the ages of Imperialism. When a language is forced upon a population can we really say how they are allowed to speak it? There may become a day where there are more non-standard speakers than standard speakers. That will be something!

But for now, no hard feelings...just some good old intellectual debate.

Sue

[JoeMama 0]

altimixdj,

Truce? I think we may have to agree to disagree. I see the primary language issue having nothing to do with laziness however I see you are not trying to insult anyone here. It's certainly something that we should all think about given the always growing number of immigrants to the US. I once read an article in Newsweek that was questioning who's version of English is more 'right'? After all, the countries and populations that speak English have grown significantly throughout the ages of Imperialism. When a language is forced upon a population can we really say how they are allowed to speak it? There may become a day where there are more non-standard speakers than standard speakers. That will be something!

But for now, no hard feelings...just some good old intellectual debate.

Sue

No truce needed. I didn't see war being declared. I enjoy small talks like this. I do not have a closed-mind to the rest of the world and I am not oblivious to what is going on around me. Your input was good insight for me to learn about something even further. I can read a book about it. I prefer to listen to people speak out of their real-life experience. It speaks volumes to me. Thank you for your time!

[Thai Pham 0]

When a wiseman (me) speaks, the crowd ____________________ (fill in the blank) .

[GrenadianCrix 1]

altimixdj,

Truce? I think we may have to agree to disagree. I see the primary language issue having nothing to do with laziness however I see you are not trying to insult anyone here. It's certainly something that we should all think about given the always growing number of immigrants to the US. I once read an article in Newsweek that was questioning who's version of English is more 'right'? After all, the countries and populations that speak English have grown significantly throughout the ages of Imperialism. When a language is forced upon a population can we really say how they are allowed to speak it? There may become a day where there are more non-standard speakers than standard speakers. That will be something!

But for now, no hard feelings...just some good old intellectual debate.

Sue

No truce needed. I didn't see war being declared. I enjoy small talks like this. I do not have a closed-mind to the rest of the world and I am not oblivious to what is going on around me. Your input was good insight for me to learn about something even further. I can read a book about it. I prefer to listen to people speak out of their real-life experience. It speaks volumes to me. Thank you for your time!

Fair enough.

I would love to talk more, maybe I should appologize for truncating the conversation!

Unfortunatly, I live in a developing country right now, and I have to go do my wash...in a big bucket. UGH! (Yes, very strange to have inernet in one room and a wash tub in the next)

So Maybe we can talk again more later...maybe we can dissect the American influence in developing countries and how the infrastructure and social fabric can or cannot handle all the US has to offer!

Sue

[GabachaYucateca 0]

"paycheck english": there's one way of speaking that people use to communicate with friends and family, but they need to know the more standard form of English to be able to get a job, win someone over at an interview, etc.

[JoeMama 0]

Fair enough.

I would love to talk more, maybe I should appologize for truncating the conversation!

Unfortunatly, I live in a developing country right now, and I have to go do my wash...in a big bucket. UGH! (Yes, very strange to have inernet in one room and a wash tub in the next)

So Maybe we can talk again more later...maybe we can dissect the American influence in developing countries and how the infrastructure and social fabric can or cannot handle all the US has to offer!

Sue

No apology needed. It is funny because apartments I've rented in Ukraine, the washing machine is in the bathroom along with the bathtub and sink. There was only enough room to walk into the bathroom. If someone had a really big booty, they would not be able to sit on the pot! They would have been stuck between the washing machine and the wall! Doing without some luxuries is not that bad!

Edited March 23, 2007 by altimixdj

[JoeMama 0]

When a wiseman (me) speaks, the crowd started debating because of the use of the word "mofo" .

[mRx 16]

Sorry guys and gals, I am living with my room mates and they use my computer all the time. I did not post the comments about . I only came here to ask questions and learn new things. never gave out stupid comments like those you have read .

To the thread starter:

honestly, you look very beautiful. your man is a lucky mofo .

That really wasnt you that posted all that stuff? Geez! You are the victim here. 5 year olds own up to their actions better than you.