SLSL language
MalignD at aol.com
MalignD at aol.com
Sat Mar 15 16:53:17 CST 2003
In a message dated 3/15/03 4:48:58 PM, pynchonoid at yahoo.com writes:
> Malign's characterization of Black English -- a
> language which has produced much beautiful literature,
> and which is the native tongue of millions of
> Americans -- as "mangled" and "aberrant" remains
> harsh, demeaning, subjective, racist, an excellent
> example of hate speech, and of a piece with the
> neo-fascist sensibility so frequently expressed in
> this forum in recent weeks
>
The Millison has certainly worked himself into a lather, what?
"Aberrant"--an aberrant spelling--means no more than deviating from what is
normal or typical. Perhaps he finds it offensive that I consider common
dictionary spellings normal and typical.
Let me repeat for him his accusation that in arguing for a prescriptive
grammar I am arguing for the ruination of black literature. This, I must
say, is as inspired as it is inane.
Since most of what is distinctive about black literature comes in one way or
another from the experiences of slavery, prejudice, Jim Crow, etc., the
Millison might follow his argument's logic to its conclusion. A return
to, shall we call them, "the old ways" might put a little starch back into
black literature, dont' you think, Scoop?
You bloviating fathead.
Dave Marc asked a couple of specific questions regarding things I said about
Ebonics. I will reply to them when I have more time.
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