The underlying thesis of this article is that Nonstandard Negro English differs in its deep structure from Standard English. (Author/FWB)

The extent of differences noted between adult phonologies of Black English and standard American English were less evident in emerging phonologies since unique error types were not exclusively characteristic of either group. Findings have implications for articulation testing of Black English-speaking children who have acquired their adult…

Traces the history of the controversy about teaching Black children standard English. Argues that all students need to learn standard English, regardless of home environment, parental education, or racial background. (RL)

Examines research concerning the relationship between Black vernacular English and reading and writing. Makes recommendations for future research. (HTH)

The African concept of time is reinterpreted, emphasizing aspect rather than tense. Examples are taken from Black English. (MC)

A wide-ranging discussion with William Labov, a sociolinguist interested in the study of nonstandard dialects, especially Black English dialect. (DD)

Opposes the legislation of linguistic conformity by penalizing minority students who write in nonstandard dialect. (DD)

Considers the recent Ebonics debate, and examines Patricia McKissack's use of dialects in her book "Flossie and the Fox." Points out its subtle yet meaningful lessons about the intersection of language and culture, and suggests a pedagogy that honors students' home language while accepting responsibility for offering them ways to switch language…

Surveyed diverse students at an urban U.S. college to investigate their opinions of Ebonics. Three dimensions of Ebonics opinions, identified through factor analysis, suggested a typology of student orientations toward Ebonics, and multiple regression analysis identified variables that predicted these orientations. Findings showed that respondents…

Investigates the preferred patterns for the "organization of experience" among African-American adolescents. Finds that these adolescents report a strong preference for using vernacular-based patterns in academic writing tasks as they get older. Suggests that the organization of expository discourse is affected by cultural preference and…

Examines specific collective identity and political expression of the rap group the Wu-Tang Clan. Reveals a multi-layered political strategy that has been conscientiously designed and implemented to instigate a social movement. Prioritizes the voices of marginalized Black peoples and provides raw narratives about oppression. (MMU)

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)

Responds to an earlier article on Ebonics and the Oakland School Board's resolution. The author of that article responds to these comments. (Author/VWL)

Demonstrates that linguistic accuracy is not and can never be a primary goal of writers who create effective renderings. Compares renderings of 19th- and early 20th-century white writers of dialect with those of contemporary writers. Finds that neither can be said to be more accurate than the other. (PA)

This study compared dialect use by African-American children (30 male and 36 female 5- and 6-year olds) differing in socioeconomic status (SES). Findings indicated systematic differences related to SES and gender in the frequencies but not in the forms of dialect used. Children from lower-income homes and boys were more marked dialect users than…