For the past couple of years, I have witnessed a trend in the way Americans speak English.

A few years ago, there was a movement to certify Ebonics as a language. Ebonics, as far as I was concerned was just a bunch of slang words added to the improper conjugation of the verb “TO BE” coupled as the helping verb to a main verb which often ended in “ing”.

Now there is a new way of speaking English which is epitomized by the McDonald's commercial that states. “I'm loving it.”

“I'm loving it” is of course short for “I am loving it”.

Why not “I love it”? Why do we need the helper or auxiliary verb “am”?

The difference between “I love it” and “I have been loving it for a long time” is obvious. The first statement is showing the present condition, while the second sentence shows an existing and past condition simultaneously.

Proper ********* New Alternative********** Ebonics

I run *********** I am running ************** I be run or I be running

He runs ******** He is running ************* He be running

You run ******** You are running ********** You be running

They run ******* They are running ********* They be running

Why would anyone use the longer alternative way.

I called up a customer service person and after I explained my problem, she asked, “So, what are you wanting me to do about it?”

How about the more easily constructed question, “So what do you want me to do about it?

It seems that in Ebonics they didn't conjugate the verb "to be" before placing it before the main verb which often ended in “ing”, but this new way of speaking is conjugating the proper helper verb properly, but always using a main verb which always ends in “ing”.

One step better, but still incorrect.

Can any English teachers out there tell me if I am right or wrong?

I am wanting to know. :confused:

I think that "I'm Loving It" is used in the commerical because it sounds better when sung....sang....singed? It sounds better with the jingle.

I think that "I'm Loving It" is used in the commerical because it sounds better when sung....sang....singed? It sounds better with the jingle.

I know that, but many people have started talking that way in everyday life, and there is no music played while they are speaking. :faint:

I am terribly concerned with the Nuclear power industry in the U.S.A. apparently there are people who have not been properly trained in emergency response. As a Canadian who lives along the Border with the U.S. (As most Canadians do) it scares me that the only training received was being told that "You can't add to much water".

T.O.M I think you need to lighten up a bit if you think that that story is a convincing argument for using proper English then I truly believe you are unwilling to look at the big picture but rather you choose only to make statements to validate your opinion. If that story is true then language was not the issue, the real issue was that there are idiots managing the nuclear power industry down there.

Well I must be off to get ready for work. I must shower first but I have a problem, when I was young my Mother often said "You can't use enough soap when you wash" Oh no what will I ever do!!!!

TommyO: I got a big kick out of your post! And that's a Good Thing!

Yes, the nuclear power industry is run very poorly, but the need for proper English is still important even at a gas fired, coal fired or oil fired electrical generation station and in everyday life.

Last year for thanksgiving my daughter and I decided to cook and give my mom a break . WE wanted to cook the turkey and dressing just like hers . My daughter called her to get the recipe. WE made the dressing just to her instructiions but it didnt taste right. My mother said it had too much poultry seasoning, but my daughter cried" You said you cant put to much poultry seasoning,so we put a lot." MY mom said "I meant you CANT put TOO MUCH POULTRY SEASONING."

Who or should I say Whom shall be given the power to decide? One of the key features of the English language has been it's ability to adapt and evolve. 3 Mile Island and over seasoned turkeys not withstanding understanding is the crucial component. That being said my message remains proper English does not imply understanding but rather it only ensures adherence to conformity.

What I mean is, if'n you do undustand wut I be sayin then the comunication be workin. If on the other hand you are unable to comprehend my words our discourse has most assuredly failed.

Cheers

TommyO

But, you cna't tlak taht way!

Well said, I think I'm going to turn off spell check

TommyO

... it's amazing to me how poorly the quality of writing has become.

"...how POOR..."

It modifies "the quality of writing," which makes it an adjective. When the "ly" is added, it becomes an adverb, which cannot be used here.

I'm just sayin'...

"Ebonics" is not "slang" spoken by young black kids. We call THAT something else; we call it "slang spoken by young black kids."

"Ebonics," among other things, utilizes a different grammar. It is consistent. It doesn't change with fads and mean one thing this week and something else next week. If you don't enjoy reading about grammar, this will probably not thrill you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebonics

The link keeps fizzling out. Well, go to wiki and search on "Ebonics."

BTW...anyone se habla Gullah? Also not slang...

http://www.bcgov.net/bftlib/gullah.htm#Examples

"Ebonics" is not "slang" spoken by young black kids. We call THAT something else; we call it "slang spoken by young black kids."

"Ebonics," among other things, utilizes a different grammar. It is consistent. It doesn't change with fads and mean one thing this week and something else next week. If you don't enjoy reading about grammar, this will probably not thrill you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebonics

The link keeps fizzling out. Well, go to wiki and search on "Ebonics."

Wiki calls Ebonics a dialect. Not everyone would agree, however. From the much-publicized school board debate...

(CNN) -- So far it's little more than a vague idea, but a proposal by a California school board last week to recognize Black English as a second language has already sparked a firestorm of debate.

"I am incensed," said poet Maya Angelou, who recited one of her poems at President Clinton's inauguration. "The very idea that African-American language is a language separate and apart can be very threatening, because it can encourage young men and women not to learn standard English."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson also blasted the proposal, which was announced Wednesday by the California School Board to officially recognize Black English, also know as Ebonics, a term combining "ebony" and "phonics."

"While we are fighting in California trying to extend affirmative action and fighting to teach our children so they become more qualified for jobs, in Oakland some madness has erupted over making slang talk a second language," Jackson said in a statement.

"You don't have to go to school to learn to talk garbage," he said.

Wiki calls Ebonics a dialect. Not everyone would agree, however. From the much-publicized school board debate...

(CNN) -- So far it's little more than a vague idea, but a proposal by a California school board last week to recognize Black English as a second language has already sparked a firestorm of debate.

"I am incensed," said poet Maya Angelou, who recited one of her poems at President Clinton's inauguration. "The very idea that African-American language is a language separate and apart can be very threatening, because it can encourage young men and women not to learn standard English."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson also blasted the proposal, which was announced Wednesday by the California School Board to officially recognize Black English, also know as Ebonics, a term combining "ebony" and "phonics."

"While we are fighting in California trying to extend affirmative action and fighting to teach our children so they become more qualified for jobs, in Oakland some madness has erupted over making slang talk a second language," Jackson said in a statement.

"You don't have to go to school to learn to talk garbage," he said.

Just because they are Black does not make them experts on the topic.

And I'm not proposing it be "taught," any more than I'd propose that Gullah be taught in public schools. But there is an enormous difference between a dialect and slang. Many miss that point.

Too bad some Black leaders think that ANY dialect of English, or any language, is garbage. Ignorance defined, I guess.

I don't speak Pidgin English, either. But it communicates. And whether I understand it or not, it is of value to millions. If I work in a community of people who communicate via Pidgin English, I'd be wise to acknowledge the effectiveness of that mode of communication and a fool to try to tell them to stop talking that way. I might even be a HERO if I can help them add standard English to their repertoire...but I won't get there by telling them that the language that they and millions of others use is garbage. They know better.

For years, not only Blacks, but many other groups fought for equal rights, civil rights and an integrated society. For years, not only Blacks, but many other groups helped Blacks fight for equal rights, civil rights and an integrated society. Allowing one sub-group of a group to have their own language will just split this country in half or at best continue the unraveling of this nation. Not all Blacks speak this so-called language, just the poor under-educated ones and the ones who can make money from using it and supporting it.

What's next? Will we allow children and maybe even teach children a new form of writing in which they leave out many of the vowels and spell phonetically as they do when they text message?

This acceptance of less than mediocrity is just another example of dumbing down the American citizenry to promote a proletariat too ignorant to complain about their plight.

Without language, our thoughts are hindered and muddled.

With ambiguous language, our thoughts are chaotic, our reasoning is flawed.