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Is this real Ebonics?
I'm working on a novel, and have a question about a certain line. I'm just wondering if this phrase sounds like something you would hear from an Ebonics speaker (looking for answers from people who know, if possible):
"Where does it says I live at?"
Nevermind what the sentence *means*. I'm essentially wondering if "does it says" is a realistic use of ebonics or not. I have a hunch that it isn't, but... not sure.
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Also, is it likely that a computer gamer who sometimes uses Linux would misspell the word "grammar" and spell it "grammer"? Is that a word likely to be gotten wrong? (this would be a young adult who uses Ebonics)
7 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Doesn't sound like ebonics to me. From one writer to another, though, you want to stay away from slang, strange pronunciations, etc in your story because it takes away from the plot and action. The reader will focus too much on figuring out how to read what the speaker is saying, rather than focusing on WHAT he is saying and the importance of what he is saying relative to the plot. Unless ebonics is a central theme in your story, i'd stick to regular grammar, though you can use subtle incorrectness, at times.
Good luck with your story.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
No, thats not real ebonics, and nobody would ever say that.
the point of ebonics is to SHORTEN words and phrases, and simplify the grammar as much as possible while still maintaining the original meaning of what you were tryin to say.
"where does it says i live at"
you ADDED an extra sound for no reason. Nobody talks like that
''where does it say i live at?"
or if you wanna get real country
"where do it say i live at"
As for the spelling of "grammar" as "grammer"......thats annother retarded and offensive stereotype. MOST black people CAN spell correctly. Just cuz you speak ebonics dont mean you cant spell. I speak ebonics, but when i want to i can spell just fine. Ebonics is just a dialect that we use between friends and family, most black people switch back and forth between the two.....and also there isnt one single variety, it varies from individual to individual. A doctor (like my father) might still speak in dialect, but he would use less slang compared to a bus driver.
Anyway, MOST people misspell grammar quite often, actually. And that is REGARDLESS of race or dialect, its a commonly misspelled word in general.
you cant write a novel featuring speakers of African American dialect if you dont know what it sounds like yourself. Actually spend some time LISTENING to the sounds and phrases, rather than just making assumptions that its just bad grammar and you can write however you think it would sound.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I would replace it with "where do it say", but actually, I have to admit, I pay very little attention to "ebonics".
I would also say that "grammer", while incorrect, is an impressively close spelling for an "ebonics" speaking individual. Expecting that person to spell it 100% correct is not realistic.
- badkitty1969Lv 71 decade ago
"real Ebonics"? Ebonics isn't "real". And that sentence sounds like something that anyone or any color who was raised south of Maryland and east of the Mississippi would say. About 90% of the people in Texas talk like that.
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- 1 decade ago
You obviously can write if you're working on a novel so why waste your time on street talk slang for?
- Anonymous1 decade ago
it kind of sounds like a white boy trying to talk in ebonics.
i'm not sure how to word it because i'm not "fluent".
- Anonymous1 decade ago
"where it sayin i bi livin at?"
i dunno :x