Alternate terms: Black English; African American Vernacular English.

The form of English spoken by many black Americans, especially those living in urban, inner-city neighborhoods.

Ebonics (derived from "ebony" and "phonics") gained nationwide attention at the end of 1996, when the Oakland, California, school board passed a controversial resolution recognizing it as a separate language distinct from standard English. The school board's action, taken in response to declining academic performance by the district's black students, was aimed at improving the quality of teaching by offering special workshops to ensure that teachers understood Ebonics and respected its African linguistic roots. There was also speculation that by classifying its black students as speakers of a second language, Oakland might qualify to receive Federal funds for bilingual education programs, such as those offered to Hispanic and Asian students. However, the United States Department of Education has continued to maintain that Ebonics is a...