Education

If Black English isn’t a Language Then Tell Me What is

January 4, 2023

Is there a distinct form of Black English? In his 1979 essay “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is,” James Baldwin responds to this query.

Baldwin first claims that the status or use of Black English rests on the function of language in society and is deeply rooted in American history. The use and manipulation of language by a speaker “reveals the speaker” and defines him.

Language is not just a mere tool for communication; it is an embodiment of culture, history, and identity. This becomes strikingly evident in James Baldwin’s essay “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?”

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Written in 1979 for The New York Times, this piece remains a seminal work in linguistic studies and cultural conversations. This article delves into Baldwin’s insights on Black English, its significance, and its distinction from what some refer to as “White English.”

“If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” – An Overview

In his essay, Baldwin argues that Black English, often referred to as African American Vernacular English (AAVE), is indeed a distinct language. He asserts that this linguistic variant isn’t just a mere dialect but stands as a testament to the African American experience, reflecting their history, culture, and struggles in America.

Black English History to Avoid Being

People have used language throughout history to avoid being “submerged” in a reality where they are unable to express their feelings. One has a better chance of surviving and succeeding if they can describe their situation.

Baldwin then cites people who speak French who reside in different parts of the world, such as Paris, Quebec, and Martinique, and claims that despite having the same primary language, these speakers would have trouble communicating with one another due to the “very different realities” that each of these locations presents. The language itself is shaped by experience.

Black English Language has Political Significance

Therefore, language has political significance. It has the ability to separate those who do not share that commonality from those who are united by a similar experience. Baldwin once more turns to Europe and observes that in England, speaking one’s mind is equivalent to “putting one’s business in the street.”

“Your parents, your youth, your school, your salary, your self-esteem, and, alas, your future” are all betrayed by the subtleties in British English. Baldwin contends that Standard American English has been significantly influenced by Black English, but not in the ways that white people typically think.

For instance, prior to being “purified” by white people during the Jazz Age, the term “jazz” was used in the Black community as a sexual term. Baldwin also draws attention to how the Beat Generation appropriated the idea of being “beat,” which alludes to being indigent.

The “uptight, middle-class white people” known as beat figures were attempting to emulate the hardship and “funk” of the Black community—a move that Black people themselves could not understand.

The Past for Instances Black English

Baldwin searches the past for instances of the helplessness of those who do not speak the same language. He points out that slaves were chained together when they were brought to America, but they had no way of communicating because of their different origins.

Due to this, slavery was able to exist for a lot longer than it otherwise would have. Under the influence of the Black church, slaves started to congregate and in that setting developed a common tongue. The rules of that new language, like the rules of any language, were determined by the messages it needed to convey.

Baldwin Own Past

Baldwin gives the example of times in his own past when his parents or siblings had to warn him about the danger he faced from white people “just behind [him],” and they did so at a speed and in a way that was difficult for white people to understand.

Baldwin continues by saying that learning Black English would “smash” the metaphorical mirror that white people have been staring into for so long and that white people cannot “afford” to do so.

Baldwin History is a Unprecedented Journey

The achievements of a people who have been both forgotten and despised by history are reflected in Black English, which is compared to a “incredible music” that is both incredible and incredible.

It has made it possible for Black people to share experiences, which has led to their current predicament. According to Baldwin, this capacity to bring a people together and advance them through history is a “unprecedented journey” that establishes the validity of Black English as a separate language.

Sircumstances and Struggles

Black people could not have survived and triumphed in such a hostile environment with anything less than a language of their own, particular to their circumstances and struggles, asserts Baldwin, who rejects the notion that Black English is merely a “dialect.”

He further asserts that white people’s only motivation for wanting to educate Black people is so that they can be used for white interests. Thus, education does Black children a disservice because they cannot be taught honestly by white teachers who despise the reality of their experience.

Black children are forced into a “limbo” that separates them from their Black identity when they are asked to modify their language, which affects their core experiences.

The Main Idea of the Essay

Baldwin’s central argument is twofold:

Black English emerged as a unique form of communication among African Americans, born out of their shared experiences, especially during times of segregation and discrimination.
Language, in any form, is a powerful tool that binds communities together, giving them identity and voice. For African Americans, Black English serves this purpose, fostering unity and shared understanding.

Why Black English Matters

Black English is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the African American community. Amidst systemic racism and segregation, it emerged as a means of preserving identity and establishing community.

For Baldwin, recognizing Black English as a legitimate language means acknowledging the rich history and contributions of its speakers.

Terminology: AAVE and Black English

While “Black English” is a term colloquially understood, linguists often use the term African American Vernacular English (AAVE). It encompasses a set of linguistic rules, phonetics, and vocabulary distinct from Standard American English.

Baldwin’s Insights on Language

For Baldwin, language is intrinsically tied to identity. He believes that the way people speak is deeply rooted in their history, environment, and societal interactions. Hence, dismissing Black English is akin to disregarding the experiences and identities of its speakers.

White English vs. Black English

While it’s overly simplistic to label languages as “White” or “Black,” Baldwin uses these terms to emphasize societal distinctions. “White English” refers to the standard linguistic norms predominantly established by white communities, whereas “Black English” emerged from African American communities, reflecting their unique experiences.

Characteristics of Black English

Black English, or AAVE, has unique phonological, grammatical, and lexical features. For instance:

Use of double negatives: “I don’t know nothing.”
Varied verb conjugation: “He work” instead of “He works.”

The Meaning of Black Language

“Black language” is an encompassing term that signifies the various ways Black communities around the world communicate, born out of shared experiences and histories. It’s more than just words; it’s rhythm, tone, and cultural nuances.