Ebonics

Originally posted by Strangelove
well, there are divisions of the term dialect. Since dialect itself means a variation of a language confined to a geographical area, Ebonics is not a 'dialect', per se, it is an 'ethnolect' because it's mostly spoken by blacks

Dialect doesn't refer to geographical area exclusively. We covered this.

What you call 'ethnolect' is adequately covered by the term dialect, and is an acceptible meaning of dialect.

Using a term that is obviously an appositely-prefixed portmanteau of the original term adds nothing to the meaning.

To say it is "not a 'dialect' per se" is wrong. Completely wrong. It is entirely a dialect.

An aside:

debbiejo- in all seriousness, do you not see irony in talking about how you find it hard to understand people, when most people do not understand you?

We aren't being light, we actually don't.

man, i am so pissed right now. when someone asks me if i speak spanish, i tell them i am about 25 to 30% fluent. i can halfway converse in spanish. i just had an incident at work where one of our spanish speaking clients got all upset because i didnt speak fluent spanish. his excuse? "sir, you are in texas. you should speak spanish."
i wanted to tell him to kiss the darkest part of my arse.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom

debbiejo- in all seriousness, do you not see irony in talking about how you find it hard to understand people, when most people do not understand you?

We aren't being light, we actually don't.

Then why do you keep responding?.......Lol

Originally posted by debbiejo
😑

Then why do you keep responding?.......Lol

I know why......

Where he go?? 😕

more ebonics?

Probably getting tea. Earl Grey.

or grey poupon. wait, who are we talking about here?

Originally posted by debbiejo
Probably getting tea. Earl Grey.

TEA?!!! 😱

no likey. tea taste bad bad.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
man, i am so pissed right now. when someone asks me if i speak spanish, i tell them i am about 25 to 30% fluent. i can halfway converse in spanish. i just had an incident at work where one of our spanish speaking clients got all upset because i didnt speak fluent spanish. his excuse? "sir, you are in texas. you should speak spanish."
i wanted to tell him to kiss the darkest part of my arse.

should probably start using ebonics

😛

or spanglish, i guess. i was like "dood, you are in the states, so learn a lick of english."

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
Dialect doesn't refer to geographical area exclusively. We covered this.

What you call 'ethnolect' is adequately covered by the term dialect, and is an acceptable meaning of dialect.

Using a term that is obviously an appositely-prefixed portmanteau of the original term adds nothing to the meaning.

To say it is "not a 'dialect' per se" is wrong. Completely wrong. It is entirely a dialect.

Dialect is used as too broad a term these days. As I've said before, I detest using a broad term when you have a more specific one at your disposal

American Heritage Dictionary
A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists

Regional or social? Awfully vague. Ethnolect is much more specific, and people know exactly what you're talking about. That's why I prefer ethnolect to dialect. I'm not disagreeing with you. We're just arguing over semantics at this point

Originally posted by Strangelove
We're just arguing over semantics at this point

If you're interested in semantics doesn't sociolect cover it better?

an ethnolect implies a dialect used by a single ethnicity

ebonics is used by people who fall into (or want to fall into) a specific social category

Originally posted by Strangelove
Look up dialect in a dictionary. Go ahead.

Dialect is used as too broad a term these days. As I've said before, I detest using a broad term when you have a more specific one at your disposal

American Heritage Dictionary
A [b]regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists

Regional or social? Awfully vague. Ethnolect is much more specific, and people know exactly what you're talking about. That's why I prefer ethnolect to dialect. I'm not disagreeing with you. We're just arguing over semantics at this point [/B]

Doesn't matter how vague it is.

It's completely wrong to say 'it's not a dialect per se'.

That's what I am pointing out. You continue to claim that 'ethnolect' precludes the application of 'dialect'.

This is mostly based upon your persistent claim that a dialect refers exclusively to a geographical area, which, as your own dictionary.com quote demonstrates, is wrong.

Originally posted by Victor Von Doom
Doesn't matter how vague it is.

It's completely wrong to say 'it's not a dialect per se'.

That's what I am pointing out. You continue to claim that 'ethnolect' precludes the application of 'dialect'.

This is mostly based upon your persistent claim that a dialect refers exclusively to a geographical area, which, as your own dictionary.com quote demonstrates, is wrong.

Ethnolect is a kind of dialect. Dialect as a broad term means a division of language. Used specifically, it means a division of language by geographical area. Clear enough for you?

and your disdainful reference to dictionary.com is quite perturbing. The American Heritage Dictionary is an official dictionary. Just because it was linked in dictionary.com doesn't discredit it as a viable definition.

ghetto slang here in texas and in NY are the same, so he has a point. same dialect, two different geographic locations.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
ghetto slang here in texas and in NY are the same, so he has a point. same dialect, two different geographic locations.

Originally posted by Strangelove
it was obscenely late when I said 'it's not a dialect, per se'. Pardon me, I didn't know I'd be getting the 3rd degree for it. I've been so bad.

Ethnolect is a kind of dialect. Dialect as a broad term means a division of language. Used specifically, it means a division of language by geographical area. Clear enough for you?

Well, it can refer to geographical area. Then it's A+.

Originally posted by Strangelove

and your disdainful reference to dictionary.com is quite perturbing. The American Heritage Dictionary is an official dictionary. Just because it was linked in dictionary.com doesn't discredit it as a viable definition.

I wasn't aware of the disdain- could you show me?