[Maceman]

I certainly don't believe in educating kids in "Ebonics." But this does raise an interesting issue. When I was in Jamaica a few years ago, I became fascinated by the Jamaican Patois dialect. I spent some time learning about it.

The thing is, it is virtually unintelligible to a native English speaker who doesn't speak Patois. You definitely need an English/Patois dictionary to understand any of it. So is it a dialect, or a language?

Whatever it is, I found it beautiful and believe it definitely worth preserving -- eventhough it is obvious that anyone who speaks only Patois and cannot speak correct standard English will be doomed to a life of poverty.

[CatoRenasci]

I have no objection anyone learning and maintaining proficiency in any dialect or langauge. The purpose of public education is to provide children with a common education, a (minimal) proficiency in language, mathematics and other knowledge necessary for one to function in society. That includes competency in standard English. Any school in the United States that does not teach standard English fails its students and the public.

[Pharmboy]

What turns a dialect into a language is a standing army...

[twigs]

I agree. This is a dialect worth saving. However, as you say, I do not believe in teaching it. Teachers should not discourage students from using it at home, but they should know standard English and how to use it with no difficulty.

[George Frm Br00klyn Park]

"anyone who speaks only Patois and cannot speak correct standard English will be doomed to a life of poverty."

Guys, I have NO doubt that this is the "outcome" desired for those taught and encouraged to use ebonics as a "language". The same for Creole. It is an unwritten language, and the elites ALWAYS encourage their "lessers" to maintain that position. It eliminates competition for the children of the elite. In Africa, it was a crime for blacks to learn English. In Ireland, it was a crime for the irish to have or read books. It continues unabated, prescribed by those who know "better". Peace and love, George.

[Future Snake Eater]

Whatever it is, I found it beautiful and believe it definitely worth preserving ...

While I'm sure you are correct in this case, the same is NOT true of "ebonics." It is not beautiful, nor should it be preserved. It's a perversion of standard English, pure laziness on the part of the speaker. Fine when you're just hanging out with friends, but hardly anyway to communicate with the majority of people.

Blacks are just destroying themselves with this idiocy, and they won't listen to anyone else on the matter.

[WoofDog123]

Highland Scots is another example of a dialect of english i have found to be completely unintelligible to me in some speakers. As far as I am concerned there are romance languages that are more mutually intelligible than highland scots and bbc english are. I understand lowland scots fine, but had no chance with the northern dialect, i literally understood something like 1 in 3 words.