Rhetorical Analysis and Criticism of Black Rhetors on the Black Language Controversy [electronic resource] : Implications for Education and Society / Dorothy Williamson-Ige.

The rhetoric of black writers and speakers asserts that (1) attitudes and practices toward black language are politically based to keep blacks subordinate to the dominant culture, and (2) African American scholars have a right to determine the meaning and implications of black language. Black rhetor...

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Online Access: Full Text (via ERIC)
Main Author: Williamson-Ige, Dorothy
Format: Electronic eBook
Language:English
Published: [S.l.] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, 1982.
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Summary:The rhetoric of black writers and speakers asserts that (1) attitudes and practices toward black language are politically based to keep blacks subordinate to the dominant culture, and (2) African American scholars have a right to determine the meaning and implications of black language. Black rhetors contend that even those blacks who speak "standard English" are subject to discrimination, and that embarrassment and subjectivity are often given as excuses for discounting the opinions of black researchers regarding black English. They charge that incorrect conclusions have been drawn by language theorists who are familiar only with the surface culture of the black language, implying that African American scholars come closer to correctly interpreting the language and its meaning. These rhetorical arguments are appropriate in terms of rhetorical effort, in that a strong effort is made in stating their claims and in providing supporting data and examples. The rhetoric is biased, however, from a black perspective. While appropriate for black audiences in agreement, it is inappropriate when dealing with the audience in need of persuasion. At times this rhetoric appears to aim at both black and white audiences. Perhaps the answer is simply to clarify, reinforce ideas, and renew commitments. (HTH)
Item Description:ERIC Document Number: ED227516.
ERIC Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Speech Communication Association (68th, Louisville, KY, November 4-7, 1982).
Physical Description:30 p.