If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is'
In a indeed engrossing way, African American author, James Baldwin, who usually focuses on ideas involving race, wrote 'If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?' analysis. In his writing he uses a purposely strident tone to appeal to logic and emotion to his audience. Balwin is a man that came from a background that influenced his viewpoint of language. With it being a nightmarish background because of his race, it shows a sense of logic and personal experience that he states in his writing that claims African Americans undeniably had an impact on English. Balwin's argued that 'Black English' had an important use and is being downplayed that it is it's own language which he implied in the thesis of his essay, 'The argument has nothing to do with language itself but with the role of language.' He tried to persuade his readers that African American's language and culture, has a gross impact on the English language people uses that shapes all America.
When someone is involved in an issue from a young age it’s obvious how the desire to prove the importance of Black English would transition into his writing. His powerful words do not go unnoticed either, as this essay was published in the New York Times as well as an official University of Washington textbook. While he persuades the reader to not only acknowledge but also respect the language that is Black English with credible knowledge from personal experience he also appeals to the emotions of the reader.
The history of slavery in itself is prominent throughout his essay whether it being the reason for the necessity of Black English or the harshness of the language. The tone Baldwin uses in his essay directly parallels the roughness of Black Language, specifically his shorter sentences and blunt statements about the ignorance of Americans. Baldwin concludes his essay with “…both the child, and his elder, have concluded that they have nothing whatever to learn from the people of a country (United States) that has managed to learn so little.' While usually highlighting the importance of Black English, in this case Baldwin damages the reputation of American values and instead highlights their ignorance towards the language and culture of African Americans in their country. English speaking American readers would often find offense in his essay however that is exactly what makes his claim more powerful. In another effort to appeal to his readers’ emotions through pathos, Baldwin tells a personal story and then describes American tendencies to discredit the language that saved those in the story. His family was standing before a black man and his mother had to convey quickly and in a way that the man wouldn’t understand in order to avoid danger. This story proves that Black English was necessary for them to stay safe. Americans hardly recognize this necessity and “patronizingly called it a ‘dialect’” even though it is clearly a language that has been spoken for centuries.
While emotion can be an easy target when persuading an audience to believe in a claim, Baldwin also uses logic to solidify the reality of Black English. He targets the English speaking Americans by explaining the African American descent of certain words they use in their very own language. Words and phrases such as “Jazz me, baby…sock it to me…let it all hang out and right on!” were taken from Black English yet their meaning was “purified” by the Americans before becoming common. This pattern of purification and usage is an illustration of the power Americans thinks they possess to control other people and their culture. Throughout history Americans took control of African Americans through slavery and now they do the same with their language, taking phrases and reworking them to fit their own culture. Baldwin effectively proves the necessity and reality of Black English through logical examples that bring perspective to the intended audience of English speaking Americans.
