RateItAll: The Opinion Network

I'm not okay with poor grammar or enunciation at any time. . .use the language properly or flip burgers. . .capitalism is a bitch and she requires strong command of the language. . .if you talk like a 'tard you better be a hell of a musician or artist- otherwise, drop the here-today-gone-soon speech trend. . .

The only thing speaking ebonics achieves is making the speaker sound like an uneducated dolt. No matter what the age of the speaker, ebonics is inexcusable for anyone with an education stretching beyond the third grade.

Slang is slang. No big deal. I know they know how to speak properly when they have to.

There are much better ways to cure your child of "ebonics" than resorting to violence. Get creative, people...

I'm sure it drove my parents nuts to hear me talk like a hippie in 1971. But by the same token, kids should learn to be articulate in the broader culture and that slang has its place. If the point of the question is whether I'd feel OK with my child using epithets that are derogatory because they hear it in music or movies, the rating would change to a one. Its my responsibity as a parent to encourage the development of values and calling a girlfriend a Bi-yatch or a ho is not acceptable.

If I ever have kids, I'd rather he/she speak ebonic instead of Bush talk(or idiotic as it's referred as in Nascar hot spots.)

I'd rather my children learn proper English, even if they were black. They can always learn "ebonics" later.

Employers, teachers, even friends and family make subjective judgments about you based on a variety of issues, many of which have already been pointed out in this list. One of the major items is your use of language. Speaking proper English gives a person a polished edge. While there are certain cultural contexts where the use of Ebonics is fine, generally, it's best to use correct English when writing a report or going to a job interview. Otherwise, people will think that you're sloppy and undisciplined. I know that it's not fair to make such judgments, but that's just the way of the world. The way you speak doesn't really say much about how a person is on the inside.

No, I would not be ok with my child speaking Ebonics, if he used bad grammar and generally made himself sound like an uneducated idiot.

Am I supposed to be okay with it? I may not have children but I would hope that isn't a prerequisite to know that children should first learn English (in this scenario at least) before taking on any unique languages (to put ebonics kindly).

My kids speak English.

No, it doesn't exactly make me happy but a child will do whatever it is to get under your skin, just for the fun of it. My kids speech is so riddled with all sorts of things that I don't approve of. Hopefully they will grow out of it! EDIT: the way I see it is ebonics is the least of my worries, you really have to pick your battles and this is insignificant to argue over, not to mention only encourages them to do it since its cool to piss off your parents remember when we were kids and our parents would be all like bogus what the heck is bogus; sounds like something that comes out of your nose. Then of course you say it all the more just because your parents didn't like it.

Make sure that your kids are learning proper English. If they KNOW how to speak correctly, there is no excuse for not doing so. Young people feel the need to assimilate. As long as proper English is their first and predominate language, this should not be a major concern.

I wouldn't want my child speaking like an uneducated hoodlum. If you ever want your child to get a job or succed in life, proper grammar and speech is pretty damn important. Ebonics is a result of lack of education in Black communities. You wont find many educated people who speak that way, no matter what colour they are.

You mean, 'am I okay with children speaking in the slng of today'? Well, yes. They said groovy in the 60's. They said bogus in the 80's. I don't give a damn if they say 'split your wig piece' today. Just kidding. But no, I don't care what they say. Who gives a damn. Stay on them about being well read and their vocabulary will be no problem later in life. But on another note , speaking of DAWG, you know who I hate?- that dumbass bounty hunter with the mullet and the tacky ass wife. Do these people actually think they're cool. OOOh, I'm gonna arrest you and then give you a heartfelt speech for the cameras. OOOOh, I'm a bad man. You gotta learn from your mistakes, BRA. How's it? Look at me, I'm Hawaian. F you, dude, I forgot my court date. Hurry up and take me to jail so I can get out in a hour. Moron. And he's got all those idiotic kids having mullets too. They're gonna get their ass beat in a few years with that haircut! I'm the DAWG. Wuuuuuuuuuuh, scary. I'd laugh my ass off if I heard that dude was looking for me. The mullet faced moron. Wife's rack all hanging out of her American flag shirt, just dying to go to Wal Mart. Idiots. Save your speech DAWG. Your look alone lost my respect. Got more plummage than the Amazon on that head. And they want so badly for us to believe Hawaii is tough. Ice ,BRA, Ice is destroying our community, BRA. Shut up with that BRA crap, you're from Oklahoma and Hawaii hates you. Ain't no real ghettos in Hawaii, BRA, and we're shaking in our boots! Well ther probably is real ghettos there, but he needs to stop trying to make us think it's Detroit or something. You ain't in no real danger, BRA! F that idiot. I'd laugh if this dude was taking me to jail for murder. But back to the topic. No, I have no problem with kids speaking the way kids speak. )))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))UPDATE: Let me rephrase myself. No, I don't think ebonics is or should ever be considered a language either. But, if your child was taught to enjoy reading at an early age, they will grow out of it. Actually, they'll probably grow out of it regardless. So, I say, let them talk the ay they want.

Would depend on what was being said, and in what context, I suppose. Like many people on here, I wouldn't have a problem with my kids using the slang of the day, but.....past a certain point, no, I wouldn't be o.k. with it. Slang is one thing, but making a language up because you can't speak english properly, and then trying to pass it off as a real language....no, actually, I would probably try and resist my kids using it.

I take pride in speaking proper English, which to me, includes a speech pattern free of obsecenties. It also includes correct sounding words, proper use of punctuation and all differing types of words and more. Ebonics to me is a joke that should never be an official language. This has nothing to do with racism--it has everything to do with success. To echo the intelligent observations of Bill Cosby, do the people that speak this psuedo-English honestly believe they can succeed and become successful? When I have kids, I wouldn't want them to speak this way. Golly! and Groovy! are fine We be real. and $)(#)@(* aren't.

I think it's important for my kid to undertand context, societal norms, and the power of perception. Once they understand it, they're free to make their own choices. An important piece is that they understand (just going down SoulJunkie's list), that there will be people that will make assumptions about you based on 1) your race; 2) your gender; 3) your sexual orientation; 4) your use of slang; 5) the race of your partner; 6) the race of those you hang out with. Let me know if I got them all, Souljunkie.

It's annoying-but I'm sure my parents weren't pleased with the slang of my own youth.Adopting such speech patterns is a young persons way of trying to fit in.As long as they aren't joining a gang,getting pregnant,or doing drugs I'd let them express themselves however they want-while at the same time encouraging them to develop their OWN unique identity.Kids need love and understanding-NOT someone forcing them into a pre-concieved mold.

I hate the English language being corrupted. It is a wonderful, expressive language already and gives you everything you need to say all you need.

I'm down with it. If the child wants to talk in that tone it wouldn't bother me at all. Because I can understand what they're talking about. Ebonics is free speech, my man! Know wut I'm sayin', dawg?!

No, I would not let my kid talk like an idiot.

I really wouldn't be ok with this. It makes them sound stupid. If it were just a little bit, once in a while, with them just trying to be funny, I don't think it would be a big deal. But if they started speaking like that all the time, I would be concerned.

It depends on what words, and to what extent. One day my daughter came home from school, and in the course of the conversation used the term Conversating, as In I was conversating with my friend and she used Conversate in pretty much the same manner. I tried to tell her there was no such words. She argued the point and finally I said, If you can find it in the dictionary, you can use it. It wasn't and she doesn't. Some slang words are okay, and I don't have a problem with that. Ebonics is an in your face rebellion against the English language, and I won't be a part of that. It's not a language that has evolved as english, french, spanish, german or even the many Afican languages.

If it's only in front of his/her friends, fine. But, I'd prefer that they talk with a language that at least somewhat resembles English.

No, in the event that I reproduce I will furnish my child with a top-notch education. Ghetto slang is not part of that equation. I could much more easily spend no money and have him behave ignorantly for free. People are judged by the way they speak ... if he or she (my child) wants to make an ass of him/herself, he or she can do it as an adult when my parental responsibilties (for the most part) have been fulfilled.

Ebonics word of the day: Israel. Ebonics meaning: Genuine article. Example: My cousin wanted to sell me a Rolex and I said it looked like a fake but he said 'No, Israel'.

Dont allow it in my home. Being in sales for so long if nothing else has taught me the value of having command of the English language in this country. People tend to value and respect good communicators. To say its ok as long as you can turn it off when you need to doesn't cut it. I think its important when your young to represent yourself the right way. In a manner that demands respect and also says something about what is valuable to you. Using this foul and ignorant way to communicate is not the way to do it. Making this important at a very young age is criticle. To let your kid run around playing this 'role' is just not wise.

Vfern (now some corny ass other name SAPA) and I never would allow this to occur- we're sticklers for proper diction!

Slang will be slang. As long as they can turn off the slang and talk normally I'm fine.