As reported by ABC, CNN, and hundreds of other news sources, The US Drug Enforcement Agency is seeking candidates to “translate” from African-American English to, well, some other type of English.

Presumably, the ideal candidate would be able to translate into standard North American English, because DEA officials themselves might have trouble understanding a rapidly spoken “translation” into Birmingham (UK) English or US Cajun accent.

The issue has stirred up an old and racially-charged debate about whether African-American English is a language or a dialect. The answer is clear: it’s a dialect:

African American English (AAE) is a dialect of American English used by many African Americans in certain settings and circumstances. Like other dialects of English, AAE is a regular, systematic language variety that contrasts with other dialects in terms of its grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

(Source: Center for Applied Linguistics)

And, consequently, the Agency has become subject to criticism and ridicule for seeking out English-to-English “translators.”

For example, the BlackMen in America blog reacted with the following reflection:

Let me see if I understand this situation. The system that educates our children does not recognize Ebonics. However, the system that incarcerates our children recognizes Ebonics. Hmmmm.

But, keeping a sense of humor, the writer also wondered how to become a “certified Ebonics translator” and where to find “established ‘Ebonics’ language schools.”

It seems to me that what made this request newsworthy was simply the use of the word “translator,” which implies working from one language to another, as well as the controversial term “Ebonics.”

Although the DEA used awkward terminology, their search likely reflects just one linguistic need – among many others -- in law enforcement.

Betty Carlson

See Also

• Language Translation, Inc.
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