The linguistic awareness/flexibility hypothesis posits that children with better metalinguistic knowledge have improved reading related academic performance. To date, no research has analyzed the effect of morphological or phonological interventions on improving metalinguistic competence for nonstandard dialect users. Sixteen typically developing…

African American English (AAE) refers to the systematic, rule-governed linguistic patterns of found among African Americans. This article provides an overview of AAE. More specifically, the article enumerates the historical underpinnings associated with AAE, identifies a representative set of AAE characteristics, reviews relevant research, and…

Thirty years after its publication, Geneva Smitherman's seminal work, "Talkin and Testifyin" continues to influence scholars, policymakers and practitioners. This article takes a look at Smitherman's work by first providing an overview of the sociolinguistic theoretical foundations that led to its publication. This is followed by a reception…

A variety of views on the legitimacy of Black English are discussed in terms of how it affects its users, especially in educational settings. (EH)

The report of a study of junior high school students using a word association technique that demonstrated the existence of a linguistically distinct "Black English," which is quite diverse and is shared rather minimally by speakers not in contact with it. Educational implications of these findings are briefly discussed. (EH)

The use of African American vernacular English among a group of secondary school students who participated in a digital media course as part of a pre-college summer enrichment program is examined. The study has highlighted the utility and importance of creating socially and culturally relevant spaces for technology teaching and learning and also…

Dialectically different students can more easily be taught expository writing and reading skills if the teacher approaches the students' language and culture with a positive attitude, makes use of the students' cultural experiences, and selects reading materials with which students can relate to. (EH)

A discussion and clarification of various forms and levels of Black English is provided together with a conjugation of the verb "to be" outlining the levels of meanings as used by most divergent black speakers. (EH)

Lists 30 resources that provide essential background information, research findings, examples from the field, and recommendations for practice for teachers of students who speak Ebonics. (SLD)

An analysis of the communication process focusing on approaches to eliminating barriers to communication between teachers and inner-city students. An addendum lists instructional materials that are aimed at facilitating this process. (EH)

Programs for improving the standard English writing competencies of Black dialect speakers must employ the same methods and attitudes used in teaching Whites if such programs are intended to prepare students to be linguistically competent in society. (Author/MJL)

Compares controversies surrounding actions by school boards in Hawaii and Oakland, California, to promote student fluency in standard English. Public reactions to these actions demonstrated general lack of understanding about languages and nonstandard dialects. Myths and characterizations about Hawaiian Creole English and African American…

The educational practices and theories of linguists and educators concerning speakers of Black dialect are discussed in terms of three varying perspectives: (1) eradication; (2) bidialectalism; and, (3) appreciation of dialect differences. An arguement for the latter view is made and a list of suggestions relative to language instruction is…

Analyzes the depiction of Black characters in children's fiction series since 1968. Discusses the following new trends: (1) revisions that eliminate stereotypes; (2) introduction of realistic contemporary Black characters; (3) tokenism; and (4) elimination of Black characters altogether. (FMW)

Undertakes a critical language analysis of the Oakland Unified School District's 1996 resolution on Ebonics, focusing on the form, content, and function of the resolution's explicit text semantics as distinct from the public statements made about it. Discusses how the resolution frames Ebonics as a non-English-related system. (Author/SLD)