Similarities exist between the labelling of the speech of Latinos/as and of African Americans. For instance, just as the language of African Americans has had numerous official labels (e.g. Black English), so does the speech of Latinos/as. These labels include Latino English, Latin@ English, Chicano/a English, Hispanic English, etc. The reasons behind the variety of labels is similar for each ethnic group as well; that is, labelling of the ethnic groups themselves have changed both over time and also continue to show variation within the communities themselves. For instance, like African Americans who may identify as African American, Black, of African descent, or as American, so may Latinos/as identify themselves as Latino/a, Hispanic, Chicano/a, American, or as their heritage nationality (e.g. Guatemalan, Mexican). Finally, like the speech of African Americans, the speech of Latinos is both stigmatized and receiving of unofficial/popular labels, such as Ebonics in the case of African American speech, and Spanglish in the case of Latinos.
Nonetheless, differences exists between the labelling of the speech of both Latinos/as and African Americans as well. For instance, the labelling of African American speech certainly has a longer history, with linguists studying the speech of African Americans in the beginning of the 20th century, as opposed to the speech of Latinos, which has only more recently begun being studied as a unique variety.
Chapter 7 | Exercises
Exercise 7.1
A number of terms have been used to identify the variety of English spoken by Spanish‐heritage residents in the United States. In some respects, these shifts in terminology are similar to the shifting labels for African American speech.
In Chapter 8, we list the labels used for African American English over the past four decades; these include Negro Dialect, Nonstandard Negro English, Black English, Vernacular Black English, Afro‐American English, Ebonics, African American (Vernacular) English, and African American Language.
In what ways are the issues related to labeling Latino varieties similar to and different from those related to labeling the speech of African Americans?
In Chapter 8, we list the labels used for African American English over the past four decades; these include Negro Dialect, Nonstandard Negro English, Black English, Vernacular Black English, Afro‐American English, Ebonics, African American (Vernacular) English, and African American Language.
In what ways are the issues related to labeling Latino varieties similar to and different from those related to labeling the speech of African Americans?
7.1 Answers
Exercise 7.2
Examine a couple of the comedic routines of Margaret Cho (available on YouTube) in which she performs her Korean mother or talks about race.
Do you think her performances of mock Korean English are insulting, or do they represent “revoicings” that serve to mock people who mock non‐mainstream language varieties (and populations)? Observe her English use both before and during the parody routine in terms of how it situates her Asian American status. Note several phonological, grammatical, and discourse traits of her Mock Asian. Based on Chun’s list of mock features in her article (2004), include some traits that are generic traits and those that are specific to Mock Korean English. |
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Exercise 7.3
Select three of the five ethnic varieties detailed above and compare them in terms of (1) sociohistorical setting, (2) heritage language background, (3) relationship to regional varieties, (4) distinctive linguistic traits, and (5) ways in which ethnolinguistic varieties are sociopolitically embedded.