2,023
11
Response Essay, 3 pages (550 words)

Response

Lecturer ESSAY RESPONSES Response What’s Black, Then White, and Said All Over? In the essay “ What’s Black, Then White, and SaidAll Over?” Savan uses the phrase “ paying the dues” when she talks about the use of the black language by the white people. Close reading of the text reveals that the term “ paying the dues” refers to the recognition of the struggle and suffering of the black people went through in creating and popularizing most of the words in use today. In other words, Savan means that in creating these words, the African American people paid a price that many people do not recognize today. As a result, white people use black language without paying much attention to the origin of these terms and the circumstances under which these words were developed. According to Savan, most of the Black English spoken today came about during the period of slavery where most African Americans were slaves to the whites. They used these words when peaking to themselves before their “ Massa” so that he did not understand what they were talking about. These words were simply used by the blacks to communicate without angering their masters. The use of these words today is associated with marketing and commercials where whites are using them for their own benefit, with total disregard to the origin of these words. According to Sava, consumer media is exploiting black language for fame and profits. Therefore, paying the dues means appreciating the origin of these words, and the struggle the African Americans underwent in making these terms.
Discussion Question: Has black language strengthened the relations between African Americans and whites? Why or why not?
Response 2: Leave Your Name at the Border
In the text by Manuel Muñoz, the term ‘ Anglicize’ is used to mean changing something from a certain language and making it sound or look ‘ English.’ It refers to taking something from a different language and creating an English equivalent. This usually applies to names. In this text for instance, Muñoz says that the Anglicized pronunciation of the Mexican gate agent would not be unusual in California. This means that since California is in America where English is the first language, Anglicized pronunciations are usual because they sound English. In his essay, Muñoz uses the term Anglicize to refer to the changing of Spanish names into their English equivalents in order to fit into the American society. Therefore, Anglicization is a strategy many people use in order to feel included in the society. It is simply changing of names for purposes of fitting into the society so as to enjoy the privileges and opportunities offered by that society. From my personal experience, I have interacted with a number of friends from other countries who have changed their names to fit into this society. For instance, a friend whose original name was Alejandro now uses Alexander and his original name is almost forgotten. Most of his documents now bare the Anglicized version of his name.
Discussion Question: What are some of the benefits and risks associated with Anglicization?
References
Muñoz, M. (2007). Leave Your Name at the Border. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www. nytimes. com/2007/08/01/opinion/01munoz. html? pagewanted= all&_r= 1&
Savan, L. (2005). What’s Black, Then White, and Said All Over?. In L. Savan, Slam Dunks and No-Brainers: Language in Your Life, the Media, Business, Politics, and, Like, Whatever (1st ed.). Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group,.

Thank's for Your Vote!
Response. Page 1
Response. Page 2
Response. Page 3

This work, titled "Response" was written and willingly shared by a fellow student. This sample can be utilized as a research and reference resource to aid in the writing of your own work. Any use of the work that does not include an appropriate citation is banned.

If you are the owner of this work and don’t want it to be published on AssignBuster, request its removal.

Request Removal
Cite this Response Essay

References

AssignBuster. (2021) 'Response'. 21 December.

Reference

AssignBuster. (2021, December 21). Response. Retrieved from https://assignbuster.com/response-response-essay-samples-7/

References

AssignBuster. 2021. "Response." December 21, 2021. https://assignbuster.com/response-response-essay-samples-7/.

1. AssignBuster. "Response." December 21, 2021. https://assignbuster.com/response-response-essay-samples-7/.


Bibliography


AssignBuster. "Response." December 21, 2021. https://assignbuster.com/response-response-essay-samples-7/.

Work Cited

"Response." AssignBuster, 21 Dec. 2021, assignbuster.com/response-response-essay-samples-7/.

Get in Touch

Please, let us know if you have any ideas on improving Response, or our service. We will be happy to hear what you think: [email protected]