In 1973, Psychologist Robert Williams coined the term “Ebonics,” which is a combination of the words “ebony” and “phonics,” to give Black Americans a name for the way they speak. Since then, the term Ebonics has endured years of resentment, questions, and mocking in the academic community. 

The word “Ebonics” is in keeping with the stereotypes that Black Americans’ speech patterns are“lazy” and “uneducated.” In order to discontinue the use and negative connotations of the word “Ebonics,” we must reform it.

I suggest the new definition as such, “Black American Vernacular English (BAVE): a way of communicating and connecting in a comfortable or familiar setting among family, friends, or other speakers of that dialect. It is often used by a person who code-switches, code-meshes, is bilingual, or trilingual. A variety of English of which one applies to converse and interact through BAVE by using lexical terms, grammatical structure, phonological strands, and rhythmic tones.” This new definition reconstructs the idea that Ebonics and disassociates a group of people from what this term brings. Eliminating the word “Ebonics” as a whole allows room for a more positive and meaningful description for Black Americans to claim and be proud of. We are overdue for a new definition!

To learn and read more, click the link below:

https://yousoundblack.home.blog/white-paper/