Ebonics: Dialec or Language?

There were many problems surrounding the Ebonics controversy of 1996, but the factor most responsible was the question of whether Ebonics is a dialect or a language. This is most responsible for the controversy because the treatment of a dialect is largely different than the treatment of a language. There are many languages in the world and when examined they are overall treated with a large sense of respect. This can also be proven wrong, though, by seeing countries, like the United States of America disrespect and attempt to dissuade new languages entering the country. The most prevalent example of this is the Spanish language coming from Mexico and other South American countries. When people enter the States speaking the Spanish language and having clear South American traits, they are automatically treated with less respect. This is because they are not conforming to the English language; they are forcing the Americans to conform to their language because we have more education so it will be easier for us. No; they should also have to take classes teaching the basic English language to compromise with the natives of America. If Ebonics became classified as a language there would be a ridiculous addition to the amount of controversy in language in the United States. This would fuel the argument of the non-English speakers to get their language integrated into the U.S. Also, the Ebonics language does not have a large enough difference from English to be classified separately. Yes, there are some major differences in word choice, pronunciation, and structure, but each of the dialects of America has these same alterations. The South has many different words, phrases, and structures of their grammar, but the language is still English; it is classified as the Southern Dialect of English, though.

The reason this conflict of language and dialect is the central idea behind the language controversy is that the people speaking the Ebonics language are of a different race. They are treated differently than the majority of people in America, so they feel they should have the right to call their way of speaking completely separate as well. This is a sensible argument, but they need to be consistent. If they, African Americans, wanted to be treated completely equal they should also treat themselves as equals. Making an excessive controversy because they want a language of their own is supporting the fact they are different than the traditional white race of America. If they would accept their way of speaking as a dialect like the rest of America, the majority of the controversy would settle because a dialect of the English language helps unite America, but keeps the identity of the person safe.