Dialect is the most important part of the diversity of this country. Since the beginning of the United States, people from all around the world have settled here bringing their languages. As time went on, many types of English were formed. The definition of dialect as found in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary is; "A regional variety of language distinguished by features of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation from other regional varieties and constituting together with them a single language- (M-W). To sum it up, its many different languages wrapped up into one. .
The United States is the most diverse country in the world, so in that there are guaranteed to be at least two different ways of speaking English. The North has a different way of saying something than the South, but the meaning is the same. The most commonly talked about dialect is that of African Americans.
Black language, better known as Ebonics, has been the topic of debate between language experts across the country. For years people believed that black talk was just jibberish made up as the conversation went on. But recently Ebonics has been classified as a language. Because it's now a language, a new question arises; should it be taught in schools? "In December of 1996 a national debate erupted about the Oakland, California school-board decision authorizing teachers to use street slang while teaching children Standard English- (Stix 1). If the teacher can find a way to reach students by talking like them so that they can understand and be interested, than more people are going to be reached rather than using "good- English and losing the class. "We affirm strongly that teachers must have the experiences and training that will enable them to respect diversity and uphold the right of students to their own language- (Students Rights). It is important that these students can in turn use Standard English to communicate with others outside the Ebonics world.
