Black and White Styles of Communication in Conflict

Black and White Styles of Communication in Conflict By Professor Alan D. De. Santis

A Brief History of English n 1) Around 400 years ago, the English settled (invaded) North America – They brought their language & customs & settled along America’s Eastern Coast • From Georgia to Massachusetts (the original 13) n 2) With time, this spatial separation created subdialects that are still heard today (about 12 of them) – New York vs. Mississippi vs. Appalachian vs. Vermont “Talk” – Differences in accent, pace, vocabulary, phrasing, grammar n 3) But perhaps the most distinctive of all American dialects is Black English – Shaped by English, African, and Southern speech

English Comes to America New England Dialect New Jersey/York Dialect Black Dialect Appalachia Dialect Southern Dialect

A Brief History of English n 4) Through the course of the last 300 years, Black English has developed its own vocabulary, accent, rules for grammar, nonverbal cues, dress, walk, and CULTURE. – From California to New Jersey to Mississippi, Black English still shares many common linguistic elements n 5) As with all languages, however, our American dialects began to be culturally ranked – Since the seats of power (and $) ranged from Washington to Boston, “Standard” English became the way those people spoke

A Brief History of English n 6) The Problem: – A) All who speak differently, are taught to feel bad about their language patterns • Thus, the Southern, Appalachian, and Black dialects are “considered” bad English – B) We forget that “standard English” is nothing but a dialect that developed along side the 7 other American dialects (Black English being one of the 7) n 7) While most of you in the class are familiar with the Southern/Kentucky dialect, most of us know very little about the Black Dialect – Also called Black English or Ebonics

7 Communication Differences

Communication Differences n 1) Black English Dialect is Different – As with all American dialects, Black English has its own specific rules for 1) pronunciation (ax, spoze, po-lice, aunt), 2) vocabulary (phat), 3) syntax, 4) accent (all can recognize), and 5) grammar (are = be) – It is not a bastardized version of standard English; It is its own linguistic form with its own laws of “appropriateness. ” • It is every bit as legitimate as any dialect in America (including North. Eastern, Southern, or Midwestern English) – My boss: “Why can’t those people speak “right” n Whites = uneducated & unrefined

Communication Differences n 2) Call and Response Communication – Traced back to Africa – The black church, jazz, movies, clubs, talk • Dr. CCT’s movie, Apollo, churches, dance floor chanting, black classrooms (more interactive), interpersonal exchanges (overlapping) – Whites = interrupting, challenging, loud – Blacks = uninvolved and removed

Communication Differences n 3) Personal Style (Kotchman) – A) The desire to have an individual style • automobiles (personalized), sports celebration (Ali to Dion), dress (the 2 Tommys), names (Tashaun vs. Bob), women’s church hats – B) To differentiate from white culture – Whites = showing off, cockiness, not being a team player – Blacks = boring and conformist

Communication Differences n 4) Styles in Conflict and Emotion – Blacks are more animated, louder, & expressive • – Anger & joy are openly expressed For whites, rational means calm/quite • White culture separates mind & emotions – – – Mask your true feelings Whites = violent, less rational, unrefined, childish Blacks = cold, dispassionate, unemotional

Communication Differences n 5) Importance of Rhythm (Asante, Davis) – “Rhythm/groove permeates everything” • Walking, dancing, worshipping, Black step shows, marching bands, cheerleading • Gospel, blues, R & B, jazz, rock, and rap from only 12% of our population • Research also shows that “black talk” is more rhythmic and syncopated than white talk (there is a grove) – Whites = feeling out of synch – Blacks = feeling out of synch

Communication Differences n 6) Black vocabulary is more dynamic – White vocabulary is far more stable over time – Black language is far more dynamic (perhaps the most dynamic language in the history of the world) – Why: • A) Language is fun, not just a tool • B) Illustrates personal style (see # 3) • C) White appropriation (forced to keep changing) – Whites = too complicated to try – Blacks = too boring, cold, and unimaginative

Communication Differences n 7) Nonverbal Cues – Proxemics--Closer space – Eye Contact—Reversed • Greater while talking, less while listening – Gestures--Greater use of body • Handshakes, body movement, walk, etc. . . n n – Touch--Higher touch culture (with each other) – Volume of Speech--Loud = Honest Whites = too emotional and child-like Blacks = too cold, removed, and dispassionate

Concluding Thoughts n 1) Remember, that all variations of English are dialects —even “Standard English” – No one is “objectively” better than another n 2) These differences make America the most interesting and diverse country in the World – Do we really want all people to talk alike (talk like me)? – Are you ready to give up your Southern dialect (& culture)? – Why should white America expect blacks to give up theirs?