In this essay, I will not only go into this controversial discussion, but also look into the history of Black English, the special features it has and the place it possesses in American society today.

2. The History and background of Black English

The history behind Black English is unlike that of any other dialect. Blacks were brought to the New World as slaves. They spoke many different African languages. Slave owners intentionally mixed people from different language backgrounds with each other so as to avoid any opposition. The blacks had to learn a pidgin language in order to communicate with each other and their masters. These pidgin languages had a very limited vocabulary and simple syntax; thus, they were easy to learn and use. In the course of time, these pidgin languages developed into creoles when the children of the slaves spoke them as their mother-tongue. Finally, after the Civil War, slavery was abolished and blacks could get an education.

Many of the features of creole languages gradually disappe

Hopefully, more and more people will concentrate on looking into the differences and similarities between Standard and Black English rather than simply judging what is right and what is wrong. We should be thankful for the peculiarities Black speech has brought into American English.

It is also worth mentioning that some blacks use so-called "code shifting". They can use Black English at home and in informal situations, and switch to Standard English when speaking in mainly white company. Also, the tendency seems to be that young black men use Black English more than the older generation. Therefore, the responsibility of carrying on the traditions is mainly left to them.

In my opinion, Black English has a right to exist along with all the other dialects. It has come a long way from the days when the first slaves were shipped over to the New World, and thus, it has proved great resiliency. On the other hand, people who speak Black English are forced to make decisions concerning for example their future employment and preserving their dialect. These are not easy decisions. Also, the educational system has to confront the problems that arise when black children should be taught Standard English. What is in the national interest? Hopefully, the national interest will not overrule the cultural inheritance of Black English.

Black English shares many features with other kinds of English. At the same time, it has a number of pronunciation and grammar features that are not found in any other dialects of English. Here we should notice that there is no such thing as a uniform black speech throughout the country; it has been influenced by regional dialects. Similarly, regional dialects have been influenced by the peculiarities of Black English.

We have moved in the right direction in that Black English is not called "Negro Non-standard English" or "Negro Dialect" anymore. Black Americans have gained more respect in American society. Hopefully, Black English will also get the respect that it deserves.

Differences in syntax between Black English and Standard English make Black speech sound incorrect. Speakers of Black English often leave out the copula or the different forms of the verb to be; for example in He sick (instead of He is sick). Another distinct fe

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Approximate Word count = 1534
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)