Thirty Black and Anglo kindergarten children from lower and middle income neighborhoods were asked to respond to three different tasks in an effort to investigate seven phonological and syntactical features of Black English and to determine the utility of each elicitation procedure. The interviews consisted of three production tasks which required…

A review of research which concludes that there is no cause and effect relationship between speech errors and spelling errors, that there is a relationship between Black English and certain spelling errors, and that there is conflicting evidence on the use of intensive phonics in spelling programs. (DD)

Compiled in order to assist researchers and students in identifying works by Black authors, enhancing research and instruction in Afro-American studies, and ensuring that contributions of Afro-American authors to the intellectual development of the nation will not be "lost, strayed, or stolen." Does not purport to be exhaustive. (Author/RDN)

This book examines linguistic variation and change. Section 1, "Sociohistorical Linguistics," includes: (1) "British Vernacular Dialects in the Formation of American English: The Case of East Anglian 'Do'"; (2) "'Short o' in East Anglia and New England"; and (3) "Sociohistorical Linguistics and Dialect Survival:…

Examines the role of linguistics in teaching Black children to read. (MM)

Author reaffirms the value of the Black idiom" in speech, and criticizes those who would either eradicate the Black idiom or teach Blacks to be switchers from the Black idiom when they be around Blacks, to the white idiom when they are around white employees and others." (Author/DR)

The Black English semi-auxiliary "come" is used to express speaker indignation, as opposed to the motion verb "come." Examines the history of the semi-auxiliary and why it has remained undetected for so long. (EKN)

The pros and cons of teaching Black English in the elementary schools are presented by Thomas Brown (principal, Longfellow Elementary School--pro) and Orlando L. Taylor (Howard University--con). (KC)

Considers "Ebonics" the most encompassing of the different terms used to describe various English language patterns used by Blacks. Recommends measures to improve teacher attitudes and knowledge in dealing with students who use nonstandard language patterns. (Author/MJL)

On all three tests, learning disabled children scored lower than control children. Also, the effect of removing dialect miscues as errors caused an overall increase in reading scores on all three tests. (Author/SB)

Students speaking Black English should not be singled out or isolated. Their dialect, like that of others whose English is accented, can contribute to the cultural richness of American classrooms at the same time that the schools are teaching these students to read and write standard English. (Author/MLF)

Describes the approach used in teaching an English graduate course entitled "The Teaching of Writing to Speakers of Dialect." (DD)

Despite their clumsy handling of the Ebonics controversy, Oakland school board members should be commended for raising the question of what linguistic skills youngsters will need for their adult lives. Parents who want their children to develop fluency in standard American English must provide language models for their infants and preschoolers.…

Explores the masked intentions within Black Guyanese speakers' use of three related types of persuasive discourse, all of which contain elements of insincerity. Analysis of the use and interpretation of grannin, suurin, and koocharin reveal similarities with other genres found in significantly Black populations. (CB)