Language is one very special way we have to communicate with other
human beings. It unites members of similar cultures who learn to share through
the same experiences and to see the world through the same vocabulary. There
are at least as many cultures as languages in the world. As Wilhelm von Humboldt
mentioned “The variety of languages is not merely a variety of sounds and signs,
but in fact a variety of world views.” Undoubtedly, languages are a unifying
element that brings identity and uniqueness to every human being because they
tell the rest of the world, where we come from, where we have lived and who we
are.
This paper deals with Black English, also called African American English or
Ebonics, as an African American linguistic variety of American English and the
way it is reflected in the novel Push (1997) by Sapphire. It discusses Black English
as a way to express and define black identity and their unique culture. There is a
parallelism in the oppression of a language and the culture it represents, as we
can clearly appreciate in the case of Black English. While Ebonics has been
oppressed by the predominant Standard English, blacks were violently silenced by
“standard” North Americans. It was not until recently that Ebonics´ uniqueness
has been interpreted neither as a mispronunciation of English, nor as a series of
grammatical mistakes due to ignorance or lack of education. Unfortunately, both
blacks´ language and their culture have suffered from manipulation and have
been bent to fit the needs of the dominant class.
Sapphari´s Push (1997) is a novel that combines pure poetry and brutal
honesty and was also the first novel completely written in Ebonics. As such, it
arose an important controversy due to its novelty and harsh themes. It tells the
story of a black American adolescent who fights to survive a vicious cycle of
incest and abuse. Being obese, illiterate and lacking self-esteem, her father rapes
her repeatedly and she becomes pregnant for the second time, her first baby
having Down´s syndrome, and is, as a result, expelled from school.
Table of Contents
1. Language as Identity
2. Sapphire’s Push: An example of Black English in literature
3. Syntax
4. Phonology
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to explore the role of Black English (Ebonics) as a vital expression of African American identity, specifically through the analysis of the novel Push by Sapphire. The research examines how linguistic variations function not merely as dialects, but as cultural anchors that carry the history and unique perspectives of a people who have historically been oppressed by dominant linguistic standards.
- The intersection of language, culture, and individual identity.
- Historical development and linguistic roots of Ebonics.
- Linguistic analysis of syntax and phonology in Push.
- The challenges faced by black students in educational systems structured around Standard English.
- Language as a source of cultural enrichment versus a source of social marginalization.
Excerpt from the Book
Sapphire´s Push: An example of Black English in literature
Language is one very special way we have to communicate with other human beings. It unites members of similar cultures who learn to share through the same experiences and to see the world through the same vocabulary. There are at least as many cultures as languages in the world. As Wilhelm von Humboldt mentioned “The variety of languages is not merely a variety of sounds and signs, but in fact a variety of world views.” Undoubtedly, languages are a unifying element that brings identity and uniqueness to every human being because they tell the rest of the world, where we come from, where we have lived and who we are.
This paper deals with Black English, also called African American English or Ebonics, as an African American linguistic variety of American English and the way it is reflected in the novel Push (1997) by Sapphire. It discusses Black English as a way to express and define black identity and their unique culture. There is a parallelism in the oppression of a language and the culture it represents, as we can clearly appreciate in the case of Black English. While Ebonics has been oppressed by the predominant Standard English, blacks were violently silenced by “standard” North Americans. It was not until recently that Ebonics´ uniqueness has been interpreted neither as a mispronunciation of English, nor as a series of grammatical mistakes due to ignorance or lack of education. Unfortunately, both blacks´ language and their culture have suffered from manipulation and have been bent to fit the needs of the dominant class.
Sapphari´s Push (1997) is a novel that combines pure poetry and brutal honesty and was also the first novel completely written in Ebonics. As such, it arose an important controversy due to its novelty and harsh themes. It tells the story of a black American adolescent who fights to survive a vicious cycle of
Summary of Chapters
Language as Identity: This introductory section establishes the philosophical connection between language, cultural worldviews, and human identity, citing Wilhelm von Humboldt.
Sapphire’s Push: An example of Black English in literature: This chapter provides an overview of the novel Push, detailing the protagonist Precious's struggle and the significance of the text as a pioneer in written Ebonics.
Syntax: This section analyzes the grammatical structures of Ebonics, such as the omission of the verb 'to be' and specific patterns of negation, contrasted with Standard English examples.
Phonology: This final analytical section discusses the sound system of Black English, focusing on the influence of West African phonetic rules and the specific substitution of phonemes.
Keywords
Black English, Ebonics, Identity, Sapphire, Push, African American, Linguistics, Syntax, Phonology, Cultural Diversity, Standard English, Literature, Oppression, Precious, Language.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the linguistic and cultural significance of Black English (Ebonics) as presented in the novel Push by Sapphire.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the link between language and identity, the historical marginalization of African American linguistic varieties, and the transformative power of literacy.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate that Ebonics is not a series of grammatical errors, but a valid, unique linguistic system that embodies the cultural heritage of African Americans.
What research methodology is applied?
The author uses a qualitative, descriptive methodology, analyzing specific syntactical and phonological features of the language in Push and comparing them to linguistic origins.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the history of Ebonics, an analysis of the novel's protagonist, a technical breakdown of linguistic rules, and the educational challenges faced by Ebonics speakers.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Black English, Ebonics, Identity, Cultural Diversity, Linguistics, and Narrative Analysis.
How does the paper categorize the syntax of Ebonics?
The paper categorizes Ebonics syntax through distinct features like the repetition of subjects, absence of auxiliary 'do' in questions, and the use of singular verb forms for all subjects.
What does the reference to Alice in Wonderland imply?
The author uses Alice in Lewis Carroll’s work as a metaphor for the fear of losing one's identity when forced to adapt to a new, dominant language.
- Quote paper
- Licenciada en Filología Inglesa Patricia Alvarez Sánchez (Author), 1999, Issues in Contemporary Literature: Black English as Identity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/180682
