If Black English Isn T A Language, Then Tell Me, By James Baldwin

In James Baldwin’s essay “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What is?” he elaborates on defining language and how key things like culture, history, and circumstances, all play parts in forming what language is. Language evolves over time in order for us to be able to communicate with one another. Differences in language come from where a person is from, who they may be, and their own experiences. Baldwin explains that when Blacks were brought to America they all were from different tribes and therefore spoke different languages. They were forced to find ways to communicate and under these conditions described as “by means of brutal necessity” (Baldwin line 66). Baldwin’s tone seemingly progresses into anger as he further

He talks on the reasons why White American English wasn’t spoken by Blacks due to “the bulk of white people in America never had any interest in educating black people.” (Baldwin lines 85-86). Blacks were never given a choice on whether or not to adopt White American English. They were ultimately forced to learn and adapt on their own because to be taught by white wasn’t a trustworthy option. “A child cannot be taught by anyone whose demand, essentially, is that the child repudiate his experience” (Baldwin lines 89-90). Baldwin explains his perspective on how whites never attempted to understand Black English. White people wouldn’t want to relate to Blacks, if a White man understands the language that means he relates and that the language resonates with him. Yet it is offensive to claim that Black English isn’t a language. It is a way of communication, it’s tied to culture, it has rules, and it’s risen from harsh circumstances. White America as adapted itself around Black English proving it to be a

F or example what was taught to me growing up, the cultural influence of my surroundings, and molding how I identify myself today. I grew up learning how important it was to be presentable and being presentable included the way I dress, the way I carry myself, and most importantly the way I speak. Also throughout my life proper English or speaking properly was a stressed concept. “Aint” wasn’t ever a real word, and anytime I said anything incorrect I was corrected. It was never taught to me that it was a supposedly White or Black concept, it was just correct. Before reading Baldwin’s essay Black English to me was slang and improper words because that’s how media publically portrays majority of Blacks communicating. Being under the impression that the majority of Black people spoke improper English, and given where I was from I used to always hear the comment that I spoke White or too proper. But my environment and peers began to have a stronger influence on the way I talked, I began to pick up different slang and talk in a way that was considered to be normal because I am Black. All this happened despite my family’s corrections and despite having English classes every year in high school. Now I feel that despite the good intention of their corrections, my family and school perpetuated a false idea. The idea that white American English is the only “right” language and correct use