History of Black Language Week 1 by Alice Lee

I already knew Black Language existed

2025-09-30 16:48:58 UTC

I already read this other article....

Dr. Alice Lee

Lilian Perdomo, Jacob Gonzalez

2025-09-30 16:51:17 UTC

I have listened to podcasts before that have talked about black language in society and how we code switch in daily interaction without noticing.

We already knew about Code Switching

2025-09-30 16:51:43 UTC

While it is more common in black culture it is also experienced in others, especially in professional or educational settings.

Jackie Valle, Elizabeth Lopez

I know the historical context of early African civilization

2025-09-30 16:51:58 UTC

I know the historical context of 16th-century African civilization

Juan Jimenez, Angela Barragan

Hailey Kim & Jocelyn Ortega

hkim573_1 — 2025-09-30 16:53:02 UTC

We knew about code switching because being students of color we learn to adapt to different situations and settings.

Code Switching existed even in slavery

2025-09-30 16:53:12 UTC

It was interesting to learn that slaves would code-switch from inside the home to working in the fields.

Jackie Valle, Elizabeth Lopez

Kamilah Gonzalez & Ashley Tapia - I already knew that Black Language is grammatically different than "Standard English."

2025-09-30 16:53:21 UTC

Black Language uses different grammer, words, and pronunciations compared to Standard English, even when conveying the same idea.

Should we address the language as Black language (is that the most appropriate form as opposed to Ebonics, AAVE, ect)?

2025-09-30 16:53:27 UTC

-Julisa P.

-Aadam A.

-Anthony G.

Didn't know there was a negative connotation behind saying 'code switching'.

2025-09-30 16:53:50 UTC

After discussing the readings with one another and professor lee we were not aware there was a different way to say code switching.

2025-09-30 16:53:50 UTC

I have already understood about black language beforehand and understood that language is cultural based. The language is there. The reading has allowed me to begin to better understand about this language and have considered that this is a ruled language.

Cordell

Anna

Miku

Ana Fajardo

2025-09-30 16:54:09 UTC

I already knew little bit of information on Black Language but something particalry is Black Idioms.

Ana, Cordell, & Miku

Galilea Tellechea & Ziyin Zhang

2025-09-30 16:54:10 UTC

By the history reason, black people were under educated. When people trying to community by using English they try to copy people sound and spell similar.

That we have subconscious ideas of how we expect people to talk

2025-09-30 16:54:12 UTC

-Aadam A.

-Julisa P.

-Anthony G.

Adeline Dang

2025-09-30 16:54:24 UTC

I was aware of code switching but I did not know about Black language

Tiktoks about Black Language

2025-09-30 16:54:26 UTC

Sometimes I get TikToks on my for you page about the history of Black Language, and also why people code-switch.

Rianna Lashchev

Hailey Kim & Jocelyn Ortega

hkim573_1 — 2025-09-30 16:54:29 UTC

We learned about Ebonics and its historical importance through Black Language.

Miguel M, Jennifer M

2025-09-30 16:54:29 UTC

We knew Black Language was not as advanced between slaves due to their limitations on literature and access to education.

xochi, michelle, kalyse

2025-09-30 16:54:38 UTC

Something we brought to the readings is a prior knowledge of understanding black language, since we've grown up around it, or learned in school, before making it easier to understand certain terms in the reading.

Code switch

2025-09-30 16:54:43 UTC

I already knew about the importance of code switching when being around people who look down upon you.

-Kendrah

Paola Garcia & Carlee Garcia

2025-09-30 16:54:50 UTC

Something we brought to the discussion was that Black Language heavily depends on oral traditions. It is not common that we see written artifacts of Black Language, but we do see it through music and art. We also discussed how we had heard this type of "language" is a resistance against oppression.

Carlee Garcia

Paola Garcia

We learned about how Black language is separated into both language and style. Also, we discovered the Push-Pull syndrome.

2025-09-30 16:54:51 UTC

It was very interesting to learn how Black language is so much deeper than just words.

Jazmine Sanchez

Emily Santiago

Lilian Perdomo, Jacob Gonzalez

2025-09-30 16:55:04 UTC

Something new to me was that code switching can be viewed in a negative way in society and that one's cultural upbringing can influence that.

We learned what Ebonics actually means.

Melany

2025-09-30 16:55:13 UTC

I learned about Ebonics. I had never heard of that word or its meaning. I find it interesting how Black language is categorized and how a lot of African Americans from different cultures have their own language and come together as one. The language itself is not slang, it’s a pattern.

Tara Trinh, Vanessa Sevilla, Ximena R

2025-09-30 16:55:13 UTC

We know the historical context of early American history pertaining to enslaved people.

code switching

2025-09-30 16:55:29 UTC

black people who spoke more clearly to the white standard got more respect

Joseph Tapia, Robert Pitts, Josh Gonzalez

Diane Roman & Natalie Lascarez

2025-09-30 16:55:39 UTC

Based on the cartoon on page 4 we were able to connect our prior knowledge to linguistic profiling and discrimination. We saw how the boy told other boy that he “talks really clearly compared to his friend”. In saying this he is discriminating against the boy, even if he may not mean it, as he is shocked that he uses “proper” English based on his looks.

Background info

2025-09-30 16:55:39 UTC

We discussed knowing Black English but often referring to it as "slang" instead of its proper name. We have a history of African American history and diversity classes and knew the white narrative is always pushed but now acknowledging our own prejudice of referring to it as "slang" instead of a formal language.

Alyssa G, Mariela B, Naomi C

Learned

2025-09-30 16:55:45 UTC

We learned about the distinctions that could be found between languages spoken by slaves of different backgrounds, cultures, and status.

Alyssa Gonzalez, Mariela B, Naomi C

Ana Fajardo

2025-09-30 16:55:46 UTC

I learned that features of Black English are systematic, rather than “incorrect” English.

Aylea Gonzalez & Viviana Ortega

2025-09-30 16:55:47 UTC

We already knew about the act of code-switching and how it is pretty common among different groups.

I knew of Black English

2025-09-30 16:55:47 UTC

I have prior knowledge of the history behind Black English and code switching due to a prior African American Studies class taken here at UCR with professor Mahnzili.

Viviana Gonzalez

2025-09-30 16:55:48 UTC

I have knowledge and experience in the study of Black Language or Ebonics. My Great Aunt taught an “African” Saturday School with the US organization and utilized the framework in her LAUSD master teacher. I also know some scholars on the subject.

Learning about grammar structures

2025-09-30 16:55:50 UTC

It was interesting to learn that Black language was developed through taking grammar structures from other languages into English, and how over time, that became what Black language is today.

Mercedes G and Holly K

Lilian Perdomo, Jacob Gonzalez

2025-09-30 16:55:56 UTC

What are the rules that are associated with Ebonics and black language?

Is it disrespectful for non-black people to use Black Language?

2025-09-30 16:55:57 UTC

is it considered cultural appropriation?

Jackie Valle, Elizabeth Lopez

Code-switching

2025-09-30 16:56:05 UTC

I knew that code-switching was due to systemic racism, however, I didn't know that it was rooted from slavery and how slaves would code-switch from being in the homes between working outside.

Rianna Lashchev

How much evolution has there been between the civil rights era and 2020s (modernization in black language)

2025-09-30 16:56:07 UTC

We knew of black language

2025-09-30 16:56:10 UTC

Some of our group members had uncounted black language before and had knowledge of how it existed in educational spaces.

Jadanny Amezola, Erica Duran, Ziclaly Belmont

2025-09-30 16:56:11 UTC

I didn’t know that there’s a new version of code switching or that it had a negative meaning. It was just something that was normalized

2025-09-30 16:56:14 UTC

People believe that Black language affirms blackness. Through this language there is connection within the community.

Cordell

Anna

Miku

Galilea Tellechea & Ziyin Zhang

2025-09-30 16:56:15 UTC

“Push-Pull” refers to Black speakers being pulled toward their own community but pushed towards adapting to White American Norms for reasons of survival and status.

Adeline Dang

2025-09-30 16:56:19 UTC

There is a deep and long history behind Ebonics and the need for code switching.

Black language is rooted in African Oral traditions

michellealfaro — 2025-09-30 16:56:19 UTC

The readings mentioned how black language can be traced back to African oral traditions. It is still a form of English, but it was interesting to learn about how it's connected to African languages.

Michelle Alfaro, Xochi Mauleon, Kalyse Jessamy

Jazmine Sanchez & Emily Santiago

2025-09-30 16:56:31 UTC

We already have some familiarity with code switching because we work with students of color. They have educated us on the topic and we have seen it for ourselves in the classroom.

Hailey Kim & Jocelyn Ortega

hkim573_1 — 2025-09-30 16:56:37 UTC

With the negative connotation of code switching, is it still socially acceptable?

I already knew about the Oakland "Ebonics" issue from my Education Policy class (taken 2 years ago)

2025-09-30 16:56:41 UTC

-Julisa P.

School Districts Recognizing Black Language

2025-09-30 16:56:49 UTC

I was unaware of efforts made by school districts (i.e., Oakland) to recognize and implement Black Language in the learning of students. Incorporation of students' culture can benefit student overall learning, allowing them to express themselves.

Nataly Mendez & Janessa Sanchez

I learned about the grammar and structure rules in West African Languages

2025-09-30 16:56:51 UTC

I learned about grammar rules such as repetition of noun subject with pronoun.

Juan Jimenez and Angela Barragan

Natalie Lascarez & Diane Roman

2025-09-30 16:56:58 UTC

Something new we learned was the different terms used previously and currently to identify Black language. We were unaware of the terms origin and their intentions.

Miguel M, Jennifer M

2025-09-30 16:56:58 UTC

Something that was new to us was that code-switching can be subconcoius.

Adeline Dang

2025-09-30 16:56:59 UTC

Why has it taken so long for scholars to recognize Black language?

Cultural background

2025-09-30 16:57:04 UTC

We learned the concept of "push-pull" in the history of black language compared to other dynamics of different languages. The push (de-creolization) is black language falling towards Americanization and the pull is the retaining of Africanization.

Noemi Gonzalez & Mariah Ayala

Patterns and structure

2025-09-30 16:57:08 UTC

We learn that it was a lot more complex then we thought it has its own patterns and structure

Jadanny Amezola, Erica Duran, Ziclaly Belmont

The Oakland Resolution

2025-09-30 16:57:08 UTC

We never knew there was an action where scholars pushed for the integration of black language within Standard English classes. Especially since it occured in the 1990s, which was only a few decades ago.

Krystal B, Gustavo S.L.

"Broken English"

2025-09-30 16:57:11 UTC

Wondering why Black Language is considered broken English when English as a whole isn't always proper?

Kalyse, Michelle, Xochi

Andrea O.

2025-09-30 16:57:16 UTC

I know somewhat about code switching. Its when you have to speak differently of the people around you

Code Switching

2025-09-30 16:57:27 UTC

We know that code switching was a prominent factor in Black language and its importance.

Sheila Isidoro, Savannah Sanchez

I already knew….

noelyapatino — 2025-09-30 16:57:37 UTC

I’ve learned through many videos/podcast I’ve found on YouTube, I’ve learned early on through school/etc, I’ve also read some books…

-NP

how can code switching help students navigate themselves through their educational journey?

2025-09-30 16:57:37 UTC

Emily Santiago and Jazmine Sanchez

Two dimensions: language and style

2025-09-30 16:57:41 UTC

We found it interesting that black language is like having two dimensions, which are language and style.

Sarah M, Snow W

Paola & Carlee Garcia

2025-09-30 16:57:55 UTC

We had never thought about how code-switching is common throughout multiple communities without even knowing. We had always viewed it through the Hispanic culture.

I already knew how the context on how they came on ships from Africa and the conditions they had to go through to come to the americas.

2025-09-30 16:57:58 UTC

Marco B.

Questions

2025-09-30 16:58:04 UTC

when and when isn't a blackcent appropriate from someone of different ethnic background?

I learned how in depth this topic is studied

2025-09-30 16:58:25 UTC

I had no idea that Black English was studied so in depth and broken down from a grammatical standpoint the way it is in chapter 1. To me it always just seemed like something so common, but to learn the history and how it’s been studied is incredibly eye opening.

Viviana Gonzalez, Estrella Lizarraga

How does Smitherman argue that AAL is a “system, not error,”?

2025-09-30 16:58:25 UTC

How does Smitherman argue that AAL is a “system, not error,”?

Juan Jimenez, Angela Barragan

Aylea Gonzalez & Viviana Ortega

2025-09-30 16:58:28 UTC

We learned the meaning behind AAVE, which is African American Vernacular English, and how it relates to Ebonics.

Paola & Carlee Garcia

2025-09-30 16:58:52 UTC

What are the negative views/effects of code-switching in Black Language?

Tara Trinh, vanessa sevilla, Ximena R

2025-09-30 16:58:55 UTC

It was interesting to learn about the development of Black language and how it was rooted in slavery. We were unaware of the language patterns.

Ana Fajardo

2025-09-30 16:58:56 UTC

How did specific African language features influence the grammar of Black English over time?

eliza009 — 2025-09-30 16:59:01 UTC

I knew about code switching as I see it in a daily basis. -Estrella

2025-09-30 16:59:02 UTC

I am familiar with code switching and black language from past experiences in life.

-Mallik Bolton

Kaitlyn Torres, Karla Meza

2025-09-30 16:59:03 UTC

I was already aware that code switching is a form of communication amongst different cultures and communities.

Strategies

2025-09-30 16:59:08 UTC

What are some examples and strategies of incorporating black language in classrooms/teaching it?

Jadanny Amezola, Erica Duran, Ziclaly Belmont

I learned more about code switching but what was new to me was that code switching was even used during slavery.

2025-09-30 16:59:25 UTC

Push upon White English

2025-09-30 16:59:34 UTC

We already knew how in history White English was regarded as the superior language and often determined people's status depending if they spoke it or not

Sarah M. Snow W.

I knew about code switching

2025-09-30 16:59:40 UTC

I knew that people with multiple languages tend to combine words when learning/ trying to learn.ex: spanish and Koenglish

Hailie/ Ellice

Aylea Gonzalez & Viviana Ortega

2025-09-30 16:59:41 UTC

How code-switching affects different communities?

I liked the notion of Black Language having the dimensions of language & style. I also found the “push-pull” syndrome or “double consciousness” an interesting phenomenon.

2025-09-30 16:59:42 UTC

-Makeda

Miguel M, Jennifer M

2025-09-30 16:59:46 UTC

Do people code switch due to fear of judgement or to adapt to different environments?

Diane Roman & Natalie Lascarez

2025-09-30 16:59:47 UTC

How do we correct someone if they are discriminating a person based on their speech?

2025-09-30 16:59:54 UTC

How do linguistics understand the history of Black language without knowing the origins of the language? No scientific proof, just theory and thoughts.

Cordell

Anna

Miku

Existence of AAVE and the term "double consciousness"

2025-09-30 16:59:56 UTC

I came in knowing that African American Vernacular English and have studied double consciousness in previous courses.

Nataly Mendez & Janessa Sanchez

Code switching/ Ebonics

noelyapatino — 2025-09-30 16:59:57 UTC

I’ve never actually heard about Ebonics before… this was the first time I heard the word/what it means. Also I learned more about code switching…

Is it disrespectful/right for other cultures to use black language?

2025-09-30 17:00:10 UTC

Sarah M, Snow W

I learned Black language has two dimensions: language and style

2025-09-30 17:00:11 UTC

2025-09-30 17:00:38 UTC

What are all the language and culture mixes that created creole, and what is now Black English?

Why is Black English history not taught so widely in American schools?

Viviana Gonzalez, Estrella Lizarraga

2025-09-30 17:00:56 UTC

I found it interesting how Black Language came to be and how there are patterns that overlap with other cultures and their languages.

-Cordell, Ana, Miku

Kaitlyn Torres, Karla Meza

2025-09-30 17:00:58 UTC

I wasn't familiar with the term "Ebonics"

Push-Pull Syndrome

2025-09-30 17:01:00 UTC

We learned about push-pull syndrome and how it essentially conformed individuals, pushing from White culture while also pulling away.

Sheila Isidoro and Savannah Sanchez

How does modern day society view black language?

2025-09-30 17:01:02 UTC

Marco B

How is this knowledge used to enhance literacy.

2025-09-30 17:01:36 UTC

Kaitlyn Torres, Karla Meza

2025-09-30 17:03:07 UTC

Is it appropriate to teach and use Black language in classrooms?

"Push-Pull" Syndrome

msanc344 — 2025-09-30 17:04:03 UTC

We would like to know if "Push-Pull" Syndrome is a topic that is known about present day and if so, how people might fight against it to preserve their cultural history or as a form of resistance.

Sheila Isidoro, M. Savannah Sanchez

Tara Trinh, Ximena R, Vanessa Sevilla

2025-09-30 17:04:10 UTC

Why is Black language not accepted in an academic setting?

How has Black language changed through history?

How we learned Black language

2025-09-30 17:04:33 UTC

At the start a lot of our knowledge about Black language was from Journals of whites and about their point of view of how they heard Black language.

Hailie/Ellice

Code switching

noelyapatino — 2025-09-30 17:04:42 UTC

Why is code switching considered “broken english”? I feel like there’s always a stumble when speaking english… no one ever speaks proper english because we’re not perfect, I feel like there’s always room to improve if that makes sense…

Code Switching

2025-09-30 17:05:04 UTC

Prior to the reading, I had a good understanding that Black Americans code-switch as a form of protection amongst other communities.

melany

2025-09-30 17:05:14 UTC

i’ve taken a Black Religion class and code switching has existed since slavery. Slaves would act one way while working and a different way when around their family/friends. They taught themselves how to read and created their own dances.

Black language Vs. Black English

2025-09-30 17:12:58 UTC

What's the difference? Is Black english inappropriate to say because it is related to the Push/pull syndrome?

Hailie/Ellice