The Black Language



In this argumentative essay, "If Black English isn't language, Then Tell Me, What Is?" written by James Baldwin (1979) argues that language is a means to control one's circumstances or to not be subjected to a reality that they cannot explain. Baldwin uses examples from other regions of the world to emphasis his point that language is a very broad topic. He explains how you can be apart of the same region of the world while having a "common" language and still not be able to understand another person's perspective or dialect. Baldwin states that language is a political instrument, in order to keep a sense of power over another. Baldwin's audience is anyone no matter their ethnicity, their dialect, or their political views.
In the article, If Black English Isn't a language, Then Tell me What Is?", I personally agree with he author's main point of view. In the article he states that under slavery and oppression, blacks came together and formed groups. they formed social churches and a language they can all understand and identify as theirs. I quite frankly believe that black English is a language and black people have the right to call that their language.
Baldwin uses history to explain the origins of Black English and why it is a language, he explains how it came about and why it was developed. “Blacks came to the United States chained to each other, but from different tribes: Neither could speak the other's language” (Baldwin). Here he does a great job with letting the reader know why it was important for Blacks to develop Black English. When Blacks were brought here they were unable to communicate with each other, so they had to find a way to communicate with each other.  “If two black people, at that bitter hour of the world's history, had been able to speak to each other, the institution of chattel slavery could never have lasted as long as it did” (Baldwin). Baldwin makes a point here on how language is used as a political power. By the slaves not being able to communicate with each other they were able to be controlled longer than if they all spoke the same language and was able to communicate, because language brings people together. Baldwin does a great job in supporting his argument in this article. Black English should definitely be considered a language.








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