Public and academic understandings about language: the intellectual history of Ebonics

Kretzschmar, W.A. (2008) Public and academic understandings about language: the intellectual history of Ebonics. English World Wide, 29(1), pp. 70-95. (doi: 10.1075/eww.29.1.05kre)

Abstract

The Ebonics controversy revealed surprising public rejection of the ideas of academic linguists. The intellectual history of the situation provides a reasonable explanation. Linguists lack consensus themselves, while the public consensus includes inherent contradictions. Academic and public ideas of language came into conflict over Ebonics in part because linguists attempted to impose their own ideas on the public, in part because of confusion over terminology, and in part because the situation was entangled in social politics. The lessons of the affair suggest an approach to language and public policy in which linguists come to terms with public views of language.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kretzschmar, Professor William
• Authors: Kretzschmar, W.A.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > English Language and Linguistics
• Journal Name: English World Wide
• ISSN: 0172-8865
• ISSN (Online): 1569-9730