Even high profile black people butcher the English language

[ieffinhatecardio]

Anyone watching Vick's mea culpa today saw a wealthy and privileged black man use the word "axe" in place of the word "ask".

What gives with even high profile and monied black people absolutely butchering the English language. You'd think sounding like a moron would be something they'd want to avoid.

[Parker]

I didn't know they had closed captioning so that you could know that he really said Axe. I heard "Ask". I bet you you mispronounce the word, "Washington" as in Washington, DC...or Rowe (in Annapolis it is pronounced as "Ro-we" not "Row")

[ieffinhatecardio]

I didn't know they had closed captioning so that you could know that he really said Axe. I heard "Ask". I bet you you mispronounce the word, "Washington" as in Washington, DC...or Rowe (in Annapolis it is pronounced as "Ro-we" not "Row")

Are you kidding?

I'm actually listening to his press conference on the radio right now and he says "axe" clearly and unmistakeably. If you want to defend him great but don't lie about what was clearly said.

[OzmO]

I'm fittin to listen to it again to see if really said axe.  If he didn't I'll give him credick for saying ask.   

[dizzleman06]

I'm fittin to listen to it again to see if really said axe.  If he didn't I'll give him credick for saying ask.   

hahaha credick...I love that one!  If you axed him how he likes steak done, he'd say I likes it well done and juicy!.....hahaha!

[Parker]

Are you kidding?

I'm actually listening to his press conference on the radio right now and he says "axe" clearly and unmistakeably. If you want to defend him great but don't lie about what was clearly said.

Man you "kilt"  it with your reply, Stop being so "ruff",  all this mess "ova" some "dugs" (pronounced "Duugs" in Baltimore)   

[dizzleman06]

yeah, I was going to da(the) sto(store) and I saw me this PHAT(cool)ass whip(car) on the corner fo sale(for sale).  So I went inside an axed(asked) the man behind da(the) counter "Say(hello), how much fo(for) dat(that) ride(car)?"  He said "5K!"  I said " Damn(wow, that was much more than I want to spend), You let a brother hold onto it(may I please drive the car while I work to pay you back in incriments?)?  the man behind the counter said "you got in any credick(credit)?  Hell nah(unfortunately I don't)!  So then he tolt(told) me see if my momma gots(has) credicks(credit) and I came back that night and stolt(stole) it anyway....Mutha fucka....

[24KT]

You've never heard West Texans say the word "lubricity". I always get the giggles when they call it "lubriticity"

[Parker]

I was always told to eat my vegi-tables, especially the ones found in the Fridgidare...

[youandme]

You've never heard West Texans say the word "lubricity". I always get the giggles when they call it "lubriticity"

Haha I giggle at black people, standing in welfare lines, then going to the store at the end of every month buying the shit out of the most expense food they can find, and livin da good life of da man, fo puttin me down so wong.

[ieffinhatecardio]

Another word I've noticed that gets butchered is "athlete". Certain members of the black community say "atha lete".

[youandme]

Another word I've noticed that gets butchered is "athlete". Certain members of the black community say "atha lete".

Really? It's usually "at...lete"

[loco]

Yeah, NASCAR drivers, on the other hand, speak perfect English.   

[Cap]

This clip settles this once and for all.

Listen as we hear what happened to "Boo"

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/audio/play/971/

[Dos Equis]

Yeah, NASCAR drivers, on the other hand, speak perfect English.   

Loco those would be facts, which really don't matter much (to some).   

[Dos Equis]

This clip settles this once and for all.

Listen as we hear what happened to "Boo"

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/audio/play/971/

lol!    

[ieffinhatecardio]

This clip settles this once and for all.

Listen as we hear what happened to "Boo"

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/audio/play/971/

Good Lord, actual proof that some black people absolutely butcher the English language. That is shocking, just shocking.

Since it's actual proof though I'm not sure it's going to be believed by certain people on this board.

In fact it must be a slow news month since that was actually reported, either that or it's the "Liberal Media's" fault.

Nothing like laughing at a delusional neotaint to make a good day even better.

[Al-Gebra]

Anyone watching Vick's mea culpa today saw a wealthy and privileged black man use the word "axe" in place of the word "ask".

What gives with even high profile and monied black people absolutely butchering the English language. You'd think sounding like a moron would be something they'd want to avoid.

what english language did he butcher? i was unaware that there is an "ideal" english language in existence. 

[ieffinhatecardio]

what english language did he butcher? i was unaware that there is an "ideal" english language in existence. 

Perhaps you can find me the definition for the word "axe" and tell me how it applied to what Vick said.

I'm not referring to the difference in pronunciation between the way the U.S. says tomato, potato or basil and the way Britain says them. I'm talking about basic words with one pronunciation.

And if you didn't know there was a proper way to speak English then perhaps you shouldn't send your children to the school system you attended.

[Al-Gebra]

Perhaps you can find me the definition for the word "axe" and tell me how it applied to what Vick said.

I'm not referring to the difference in pronunciation between the way the U.S. says tomato, potato or basil and the way Britain says them. I'm talking about basic words with one pronunciation.

And if you didn't know there was a proper way to speak English then perhaps you shouldn't send your children to the school system you attended.

1. I understand what he means when he says "axe," and I'm sure people all over the country do too. and I'm sure they understand people who speak w N. England accents . . . or Southern ones for that matter.  Words like "car," or "fire," for instance.

2. Let me guess . . . from your half-assed liberalism and apparent unawareness of recent scholarship on "dialects," you went to some mid-level state school. You don't have to tell me where you went . . . but there is a perceptible difference b/w the way you express yourself, and the way someone like goatboy does.  you leave way too much ass hanging out there. So, don't get too uppity about "axe" . . . there are things that mark everybody . . . you might have had a more privileged upbringing than Vick, but there are plenty of others who would find your quirks just as quaint.

[Cap]

Loco those would be facts, which really don't matter much (to some).   

The exact reason why people hate Gordon...he enunciates.  Lol

Seriously though, southern drawl and ebonics are not in the same category to me.  I find it easy to understand hicks (and I am not from the South) and ebonics throws me off sometimes and I have to sit and process the words. 

The "axe" part is found outside of the black community but I don't think we have seen something so horrendous as the school systems in Oakland, CA where they actually teach and use ebonics in the schools so kids can actually pass English classes and write papers.  Can anyone explain that?  I highly doubt the Asians who misuse the letters "L" and "R" are allowed to misspell the words in class.

Accents are one thing.  Hell, I date a Jersey girl (South Jersey  ) and am friends with many East Coasters and I understand them fine despite accents but ebonics and slang make people look down right dumb.

[ieffinhatecardio]

1. I understand what he means when he says "axe," and I'm sure people all over the country do too. and I'm sure they understand people who speak w N. England accents . . . or Southern ones for that matter.  Words like "car," or "fire," for instance.

2. Let me guess . . . from your half-assed liberalism and apparent unawareness of recent scholarship on "dialects," you went to some mid-level state school. You don't have to tell me where you went . . . but there is a perceptible difference b/w the way you express yourself, and the way someone like goatboy does.  you leave way too much ass hanging out there. So, don't get too uppity about "axe" . . . there are things that mark everybody . . . you might have had a more privileged upbringing than Vick, but there are plenty of others who would find your quirks just as quaint.

Excellent post.

1. The question was never understanding what Vick said the question was his pronunciation of certain words. You get the difference, right? Your point about regional accents is good to a certain degree. I agree that certain portions of the country butcher the English language to varying degrees but we're not talking about regional dialects, where talking about a particular race within the U.S. and not a race that grew up speaking a different language such as Chinese. A race that grew up speaking English.

Many blacks up here in Boston speak in the same way Vick does. That transcends regional differences.

2. Let me guess, because you've read a few of my posts bashing certain Conservatives you think I'm a Liberal? Of course the accuracy of this assessment is not really what you're concerned with is it? Providence College isn't a state school but I suppose it could be considered mid-level and that was probably your greater point. Nice job bringing Goatboy into a discussion where he himself never posted and thanks for the tip on my leaving "too much ass hanging out there".

I grew up middle class and exactly what does that have to do with Vick's use of the term "axe"? As I'm sure you know privilege and education are not coupled, anyone can become educated in any surroundings in this country. The ability to speak in a proper manner is not directly related to social status. Everyone has the means to learn to speak, money is not the deciding factor. 

[Dos Equis]

The exact reason why people hate Gordon...he enunciates.  Lol

Seriously though, southern drawl and ebonics are not in the same category to me.  I find it easy to understand hicks (and I am not from the South) and ebonics throws me off sometimes and I have to sit and process the words. 

The "axe" part is found outside of the black community but I don't think we have seen something so horrendous as the school systems in Oakland, CA where they actually teach and use ebonics in the schools so kids can actually pass English classes and write papers.  Can anyone explain that?  I highly doubt the Asians who misuse the letters "L" and "R" are allowed to misspell the words in class.

Accents are one thing.  Hell, I date a Jersey girl (South Jersey  ) and am friends with many East Coasters and I understand them fine despite accents but ebonics and slang make people look down right dumb.

I don't get hung up on dialects, accents, etc.  Maybe it's because pidgin is so prevalent here and because we have so many immigrants.  There really isn't a logical distinction between pidgin and Ebonics in IMO, but you can get away with one, but not the other.  Everyone who wants to work as a professional here has to speak proper English, but speaking pidgin is almost an art form that in many instances shows you are actually a part of the island culture.
 

[Al-Gebra]

to ieffin

I've got to go, so I'll be brief . . . if you (assuming you are a middle class new englander), Vick, and some fifth generation Harvard grad walked into a northeastern "merchant bank" tomorrow looking for a job . . . w no resumes . . . you'd be about as likely to get the job as vick, even if you weren't allowed to say anything about how you were raised . . . in your own backyard, no less. I know this is a rather arbitrary example, but if you're reasonable, you will probably agree. 

every class/tribe/whatever you want to call it has its markers, and seeks to perpetuate the success of its own, regardless of merits/abilities. 

You're doing it right now, and there are situations in which it will be/has been done to you. If you think that's fine, then I have no argmt w you.

if you want to condemn vick for killing dogs or failing as a football player, fine, but to do so b/c of something as superficial as his "butchery" of the language makes no sense. 

[Cap]

I don't get hung up on dialects, accents, etc.  Maybe it's because pidgin is so prevalent here and because we have so many immigrants.  There really isn't a logical distinction between pidgin and Ebonics in IMO, but you can get away with one, but not the other.  Everyone who wants to work as a professional here has to speak proper English, but speaking pidgin is almost an art form that in many instances shows you are actually a part of the island culture.
 

I am not really familiar with "pidgin" but I can get the gist of what you are talking about.  Ebonics, from what a few education students have told me, is actually considered a separate language all itself.  To me, using this "different language" and not standard English in schools is appalling.  All it does it make the black community look stupid and set their kids up for failure in any further education.  Vick, being a former college student like many other athletes, should have at least taken an ENG 101 and 102 course and should know how to speak correctly.  In the end, the speaker looks like an idiot.  A Bostonian telling me to "pahk the cah" is different than Michael Vick telling me to "park my fly ass whip".