Ethnic Studies Review
Orginal Publication Date
1999
Journal Title
Ethnic Studies Review
Volume
22
Issue
esr/vol22/iss1
First Page
44
Last Page
55
Abstract
The thesis of this paper is that no substantive and impartial debate about the pedagogical value of using Ebonics in the classroom could be held in the United States media because America's prescriptive attitude towards Ebonics does not allow fair and objective consideration of the issue. In presenting this theme I will discuss language ideologies in general and prescription in particular as a common attitude towards language. Prescription with respect to Ebonics usually takes the form of language prejudice. I will conclude with an introduction to one area of language planning, status planning, in which language planners try to improve the status of a dialect or language by selecting a goal, planning the necessary research, and devising a marketing or diffusion plan.
Rights
Copyright ©ESR, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1999
Comments
The Urban Educational Experience