"If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?": RRR for James Baldwin
In James Baldwin’s essay “If Black English Isn’t Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” (1979), Baldwin asserts that "black English" is a language and that its circumstances are the reasons people deny it; language classifies people based on their social background. He supports his claim with examples of how language evolves, and how it is a vital key to identity; he also uses logos, pathos and linguistic diversity to appeal to his readers and encourage them to support his point of view. Baldwin’s purpose is to inform readers of the issue at hand in order to augment the reality of how black English is not only a language but how it unveils things about the society of America. Baldwin's intended audiences are readers of The New York Times, language analyst, and English majors.
I agree with Baldwin, language identifies who you are, and it connects you to a community of people who are of similarity. While reading Baldwin’s essay, I reflected on the way I sometimes communicate with my siblings. English is the language we speak, but during conversations, there have been times when my friends and others would say they had no idea of what was being said, consequently they were unable to apprehend it. I thought about how something as simple as our southern accents can connect us to one another but separate us from others. After reading Baldwin’s essay, I recognize that language is proof of the power and that it can identify us all. Alas, I agree that the majority of whites in America never had an interest in educating blacks, except as to serve white purposes. Reiterating Baldwin’s point that “The argument has nothing to do with the language itself but with the role of language” (Baldwin).
Baldwin primarily uses pathos to champion his claims. He uses examples of how people in England talk make sense to their own and not others to demonstrate his logic of why Black English is not recognized as a real language. Additionally, Baldwin explains how language is not only used to communicate; it can be used to classify people based on social backgrounds. Furthermore, used to justify the reason why he believes black children are lost; it is that people who despise children cannot teach them (Baldwin). The reason is that black English is the creation of the black diaspora; black English is a product of slavery, and it stems from the inability of slaves from different tribes to communicate because of the language barrier. Again, he proclaims, “The brutal truth is that the bulk of the white people in America never had any interest in educating black people, except as this could serve white purposes” (Baldwin). He claims that the reason whites do not understand and accept black English is that it challenges their beliefs, and is the identity of black people. Baldwin appeals to emotions by providing readers with visuals and examples in order to defend his claims.
I agree with Baldwin, language identifies who you are, and it connects you to a community of people who are of similarity. While reading Baldwin’s essay, I reflected on the way I sometimes communicate with my siblings. English is the language we speak, but during conversations, there have been times when my friends and others would say they had no idea of what was being said, consequently they were unable to apprehend it. I thought about how something as simple as our southern accents can connect us to one another but separate us from others. After reading Baldwin’s essay, I recognize that language is proof of the power and that it can identify us all. Alas, I agree that the majority of whites in America never had an interest in educating blacks, except as to serve white purposes. Reiterating Baldwin’s point that “The argument has nothing to do with the language itself but with the role of language” (Baldwin).
Baldwin primarily uses pathos to champion his claims. He uses examples of how people in England talk make sense to their own and not others to demonstrate his logic of why Black English is not recognized as a real language. Additionally, Baldwin explains how language is not only used to communicate; it can be used to classify people based on social backgrounds. Furthermore, used to justify the reason why he believes black children are lost; it is that people who despise children cannot teach them (Baldwin). The reason is that black English is the creation of the black diaspora; black English is a product of slavery, and it stems from the inability of slaves from different tribes to communicate because of the language barrier. Again, he proclaims, “The brutal truth is that the bulk of the white people in America never had any interest in educating black people, except as this could serve white purposes” (Baldwin). He claims that the reason whites do not understand and accept black English is that it challenges their beliefs, and is the identity of black people. Baldwin appeals to emotions by providing readers with visuals and examples in order to defend his claims.
Napoleon Walker (Revised by: Nianicole Wedlowe)
Works Cited:
James Baldwin, “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” © 1979 by James Baldwin. Originally published in The New York Times. Copyright renewed. Collected in The Price of the Ticket, published by St. Martin’s. Used by arrangement with the James Baldwin Estate.
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