Part Five: Language Variations and Discourse2. History of Black English

The history of Black English in the United States is complex and even today only partly understood. Black English is also referred to as Black language, African American Vernacular English, Black English Vernacular or Vernacular Black English, Ebonics, African American English, “the language of soul,” and “the shuffling speech of slavery.” There has been much controversy over the history of Black English and how it came about. Many linguists trace the development of Black English back to the time of slavery and the slave trade. Other scholars contend that Black English developed out of the contact between speakers of West African languages and speakers of vernacular English varieties. Others say that Black English developed from the mixing of African languages. This paper sets to examine the different theories held by linguists as to how Black English came about.

Many linguists trace the development of Black English back to the time of slavery and the slave trade....