Summary
Highlights
The pronunciation 'axe' for 'ask' is a colloquialism often associated with people in the South and specifically Black individuals. It carries a stigma, often leading people to believe those who use it are ignorant, uneducated, or lower-class, especially when linked to African American Vernacular English (AAVE), previously known as Ebonics.
Historically, 'axe' was considered the correct pronunciation in English, dating back to the 8th century. It appeared in works like Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and the first English translation of the Bible. The pronunciation 'ask' didn't become common until the 17th century. The stigmatization of 'axe' today is attributed to classism and racism, perpetuating stereotypes about intelligence and wealth.
Institutions reinforce a hierarchy of dialects, favoring certain language forms over others. AAVE is a distinct social dialect of English with its own complexities, rich history, and cultural significance, born from the linguistic needs of enslaved Black people. It has its own grammatical rules, such as the use of double negatives, which are often misunderstood as improper speech.
People often associate AAVE with a lack of intelligence, as seen in reactions to public figures like Cardi B. A significant controversy arose in 1996 when the California Board of Education attempted to incorporate AAVE in schools, leading to widespread condemnation. The initiative was actually designed to help students transition to standard American English by acknowledging AAVE's grammatical rules, not to replace Standard English.
Speakers of different dialects often engage in code-switching, altering their language depending on the audience, which can be crucial for social and professional advancement. The video argues that judging people based on their dialect is unfair, as English is constantly evolving and has many irregular rules itself. The speaker encourages listeners to challenge their assumptions about intelligence based on pronunciation and to be more open-minded about linguistic diversity.