A fork of Rural Dictionary
Ebonics is the language of African-American Ancestry, struggle, pain, intelligence, love, mercy, understanding, survival, resistance, and enjoyment. Ebonics, represents that warm place in the hearts of many of us African-Americans, when we think about our Ancestors, who could not speak nor understand English, but struggled to speak a language they were not taught formally for hundreds of years. Ebonics allows us to connect with our Ancestors through language. Ebonics is a language that is celebrated, enjoyed, and spoken intentionally by me, because it is easy on my tongue, fun, creative, and saves time. I 'respect' Standard English, but I 'LOVE' Ebonics and Slang, because they are a part of me - a decent and meaningful part of MY history, My culture, and MY family. My Ancestors spoke Ebonics while they cried in pain, but now, I can speak Ebonics while I smile with joy.
Standard English Example: Question: What do you need to do? Answer: I need to take the time, to gather the information, and then double check it, to see if I am correct in my facts; Then I have to package it and take it to the Post Office, so that I can get it insured, to make sure I don't lose my valuable work. Ebonics Example: Question: What cha' gawn do? Answer: Lawd ha' murcy! I nee' ta git dis stuff togetha and take it ta da Post office, and git me some insurance!
Ebonics is a term that was originally intended to refer to the language of all people descended from enslaved Black Africans, particularly in West Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. Over time, and especially since 1996, it has been used more often to refer to African American Vernacular English (distinctively nonstandard Black United States English), asserting the independence of this from (standard) English. The term became widely known in the U.S. in 1996 due to a controversy over its use by the Oakland School Board. What is claimed to be the initial mention of "Ebonics" was made by the psychologist1 Robert Williams in a discussion with linguist Ernie Smith (as well as other language scholars and researchers) that took place in a conference on "Cognitive and Language Development of the Black Child", held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973.23 In 1975, the term appeared within the title and text of a book edited and co-written by Williams, Ebonics: The True Language of Black Folks. Williams there explains it
"While it is clear that the previous definitions were written by racist white people who are VERY ignorant and unlearned, I just thought a black girl like myself could elaborate and give the TRUE meaning of the word". White people still fear what they don't understand and instead of trying to learn, the retaliate with their ignorance. So who is really the more inferior race? You tan in order to be darker, your women love to attach themselves to our men. Your men LOVE our curves, and your teenagers idolize our music, clothing, and our language. SO SAD!!! And get over the fact that the PRESIDENT IS BLACK!!!!EBONICS!
At its most literal level, Ebonics simply means 'black speech' (a blend of the words ebony 'black' and phonics 'sounds'). The term was created in 1973 by a group of black scholars who disliked the negative connotations of terms like 'Nonstandard Negro English' that had been coined in the 1960s when the first modern large-scale linguistic studies of African American speech-communities began. The fact is that most of the vocabulary of Ebonics is from English and that much of its pronunciation (e.g. pronouncing final 'th' as 'f') and grammar (e.g. double negatives, "I don't want none") could have come from the nonstandard dialects of English (WHITE!) indentured servants and other workers with whom African slaves interacted. Southern Caucasian speech has been referred to as Whibonics (White Ebonics). Just to emphasize its English origins, I'll point to the fact that most of the vocabulary of Ebonics is from English and that much of its pronunciation (e.g. pronouncing final th as f) and grammar (e.g. double negatives, "I don't want none") could have come from the nonstandard dialects of English indentured servants and other workers with whom African slaves interacted.
African American Ebonics: Fo Sho (For Sure) / Wuddup or Wassup (What's Up), etc. Caucasian Ebonics: Get the Caah (Car) Boston / Who dat deah (Who's that There) / I like to had a heart attack (I likened to have had a heart attack), etc.
African American Vernacular English (AAVE), also called African American English, Black English, Black Vernacular, or Black English Vernacular (BEV), is a type variety (dialect, ethnolect and sociolect) of the American English language. It is known colloquially as Ebonics (a portmanteau of "ebony" and "phonics"). With pronunciation that in some respects is common to Southern American English, the variety is spoken by many blacks in the United States. AAVE shares many characteristics with various Creole English dialects spoken by blacks in much of the world. AAVE also has pronunciation, grammatical structures, and vocabulary in common with various West African languages. Ebonics is not merely just the use of urban or "slang" words, but rather it is the manipulation and transformation of the English language (ie, In the sentence "I want to have sex with a chickenhead", a slang word is used, but the speaker is not using ebonics.)
"He workin'."- He is working (right now). "He been hit dat from last week."- He has already had sex with that(her), since last week. "I'm finna go get some chicken." I am (or possibly I am considering) going to get chicken. "I aint doin' nuthin' fo'dat ho."- I am not going to do anything for that whorish woman. "Don't be tellin' me dat I can't talk good cuz I speak ebonics."- Do not tell me that I am unable to speak well just because I speak ebonics.
an amazing girl that is sure to put a smile on your face even when you're feeling sad, she is also a very shy girl who is adorable in every way possible. she cares for everyone and is a sweet loving girl who only wants to enjoy life.
damn look at that girl she's so hot! she is such an ebone!
Usually an "emo;" listens to typical "emo" or "myspace scene" music. Tends to fancy little boys called Alex, whom tend to be on the dole
1: "Did you hear about that Eboner?" 2: "Is she the one who likes dole dossers?" 1: "Yes, and emo/myspace cult."