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Black Girls Learn Languages

A multi-platform digital community for Black women who love languages.

4/28/2020

Yes, AAVE Is A Language. No, You Don’t Get to Use It



I came across an article written by one of Babbel’s writers regarding the moral dilemma of AAVE (African American Vernacular English) usage by people outside of the black community. As a person who natively speaks AAVE, the main issue I took with the article is that the writer is not black.



Since when do non-black people get to decide whether or not black culture—MY CULTURE—is being appropriated? Since when do non-black people, get to offer their “expert” opinion on a culture that is not even theirs? Did I miss the memo? I really wish I wouldn’t have, because I sure do have a message for the person who wrote it [the memo]. If you’re not black, you don’t get to police appropriate usage of AAVE inside OR outside of the community. The end.

But just in case you are wondering why I feel so strongly about it, AAVE is more than just the origin of popular slang. Slang that is often overused AND OVERUSED OUT OF CONTEXT at that.  NOT TO MENTION they [people outside of the community] usually take the credit for “creating” terms that already existed in our language for quite some time. You know, before they "discovered" it. In my opinion, AAVE is an amazing English-based creole language that we as black people speak. In fact, it’s so amazing that AAVE even has regional dialects within itself. Black people up north have a completely different accent, set of colloquialisms, idioms and general way of speaking compared to black people down south or even in the Midwest. As a person from up north who later moved down south, I can attest to this! Another reason I find AAVE amazing, is because it is proof positive of our resiliency as a people. Why? Our ancestor’s naturally acquired version of language is now our language. 

You're probably thinking, what do you mean our ancestor’s naturally acquired version of language? Well, in the absence of formal education during the slavery and Jim Crow eras, many of our ancestors acquired language naturally, based solely off of oral communication with those around them (depending on the era and location, it could have been slave masters, overseers or other slaves, for example). Keep in mind, that formal education (language arts) rarely, if ever, ensued for black people. Language Arts is fundamental to improving oral and written communication with the introduction of grammar rules. As a result, many of us spoke a version of English that was different from the “standard”. SIDE NOTE: By the way, what is "standard English" exactly? Another article for another day... Naturally acquired language without formal education is decidedly different from “standard language”, as the knowledge of the prevailing grammar rules is often absent. An example of this would be the lack of subject-verb agreement in our [AAVE] language. I’ve been known to say things like “they be doing that” or “them people is crazy”, etc., which according to “standard English”, is incorrect because the subjects do not agree with the verbs.

Nevertheless, with this language, we were able to communicate with EACH OTHER. We were able to use this language to search, find and fight for freedom as a unit. We passed this language down to our offspring. Our language has survived two eras (the slavery era and Jim Crow), which is why I see it as a testament to our strength.

But now that we’ve taken a deeper look at AAVE, why it is so important to our [black people’s] culture and what role it namely plays in our history, let’s get back to that message that I have for each and every non-black person that thinks they have a right to decide why and how AAVE can be used: YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT! AND YOU BET NOT USE IT!

Point blank, period. This is something that is so intertwined with the essence of our existence. The thought that you have a right to police or partake in something so intimate and personal to us, simply because you think it’s cool, is quite frankly disgusting.  

Bottom line, if you’re not black, do not use AAVE past, present or future. Don’t “sis” me, don’t pronounce “thing” as “thang”, and last but not least, do not say the N word. Ever. Nunca. Nie. Jamais. Do. Not. Do. It.

Stay in your lane.




Xoxo,

Language Bae

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4/19/2020

Video Interview With Jamila of Jamii Linguists!


Hola mis lingüistas!

Take a look at my very first VIDEO interview with Jamila, the executive director of Jamii Linguists! She's talks about her journey with languages and her experiences as an attorney, community organizer, social justice linguist and how Spanish has helped improve the quality of involvement in the community. 

She even has a new program, Language & Diaspora, where she teaches Spanish from an Afrocentric perspective. 

Let me know what you thought about the video and if there are any other questions you would have loved to have answered. 

Enjoy!


xoxo, 



Language Bae
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4/14/2020

Need Language Buddies? Get Tandem!

[Pictured woman holding coffee mug in the right hand and iPhone in the left hand]

Bienvenidas mis lingüistas!

Cómo están? Espero que estén muy bien. As you all know, a huge part of learning another language is not only getting a chance to practice your speaking and listening comprehension skills, but also getting helpful feedback from advanced, near native or native speakers. There are so many language apps, forums, live meetups and online groups out there to choose from. For those of you who feel overwhelmed or intimidated and don’t know where to start, I suggest starting with the Tandem app.

I’ve been using the Tandem app for about 3 or 4 years now and while I have used a lot of apps and websites to find language buddies, I find Tandem to be the absolute best. One of the things I loved most about the Tandem app, is how you can correct your language partners’ messages (and vice versa) by holding down on the message and then selecting “correct message” from the pop-up menu list. This was the first thing I noticed when I started using it and immediately, I fell in love with the app. I also noticed, that when you hold down on the message, the option to “translate” the message is also displayed on the pop-up menu list. This is great for when you don’t understand what your language partner is writing, but don’t want to toggle back and forth between apps to figure out what’s being said.

Another good thing about Tandem is that when you create your profile, it gives others a comprehensive look at you as a language partner. For instance, you not only include your language learning levels and interests, but you also include information about the type of learner you are, the topics you prefer to talk about, what type of communication you prefer, and your level of commitment. That way, people can see if your level of commitment matches theirs, and they can set realistic expectations on the amount of help you could offer each other.  You can even leave reviews after having communicated with another user, so that others can know what type of interaction to expect.

Courtesy of Tandem, I was able to use TandemPro for a while and play around with the features. I’m usually the person who would say there are no real differences in Pro versions of apps. But for TandemPro, that’s not true. The main thing that makes TandemPro worth it, is that you could connect with people nearby and arrange a face to face meeting with your language buddy. You could also connect with someone located in a city you’re traveling to and ask for tips on the best ways to experience the city while you’re there. For someone like me, who loves to connect in person and loves to get recommendations of things to do from actual locals, this is perfect! While we live in a crazy time at the moment with quarantining and closed down restaurants, etc., it’s still nice to connect with someone nearby even if you can’t physically meet in person for the time being.

Speaking of quarantine, Tandem supports the #StayHome movement with the hashtag #quarantandem. By creating a topic in your profile, others who want to improve their language skills with a language partner during quarantine can find you! You can get the app here.

Have you used Tandem? If so, what did you think about it? What features did you find especially helpful for your language learning journey? Let us know in the comments below!

Xoxo,



Language Bae

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4/06/2020

#MCM Edition: He Started the First Black-Owned Online Korean Language School


They say “Let your haters be your motivators”, and this month’s Man Crush seems to agree! Meet Nathan Thornton, the multilingual creator of the first Black-owned online Korean language school and expat. Read on to find out more about his language learning journey and the poetic justice he received along the way.  

BGLL: Tell us about yourself. Who are you and what do you do? 

Nathan: My name is Nathan Thornton, I’m originally from Los Angeles, California, but I currently live in Warsaw, Poland and as the creator of SmarterKorean, the first Black-owned online Korean language school. I serve as an Online Korean Language Coach and Korean Expert. My native language is English. I have a bachelor's degree in international business from IPAG Business School in Paris, France. During my 3rd year at one the best universities in South Korea studying Korean literature I decided to transfer to a business school in Paris. 

BGLL: Which other languages do you know? How did you learn them? 

Nathan: I speak Korean, French and am currently learning Russian. I first started learning Korean and going to a Korean language school when I was 14. I was a completely different person. I was very shy and quiet. And on top of that, whenever I did try to speak in Korean with my Korean friends, they would laugh at my accent or make fun of me. It definitely discouraged me, but it also put this fire in me to prove to everyone that I was capable of really learning Korean. I would come home every day after school and study Korean for hours, watch Korean TV with no subtitles on repeat, fill up notebooks with Korean words, etc. I would use an online penpal site to talk to Koreans back then, and this helped me improve my confidence in speaking. By the time I was 18 years old, I was asked by the principal of my Korean school if I would accept an assistant teaching position as a Korean teacher. It was one of my proudest moments as a teenager. I ended up teaching some of the exact same Korean kids who used to make fun of my Korean years before. 

I had to learn French while living in Paris, because life in France without knowing French is unbearable and frowned upon. I learned French for survival after moving to France with basically zero French and no friends or family there.  I learned French by myself while living in Paris. I had originally moved to Paris to change my major and also for love. But within the first couple of months, I was living in a new country I had no idea about (besides the Eiffel Tower and baguettes) and had broken up with my then-first boyfriend. I was completely alone and needed to figure out how to survive in France, so I bought a bunch of French-language books, a notebook, and turned on French Netflix. I would go to language exchanges and try to make French friends as well. Going to university there definitely helped expose me to the French language on a daily basis. 

I am currently learning Russian and may be planning to move to Kyiv, Ukraine in the summer to attend a Russian language school. 

BGLL: Tell us more about SmarterKorean. What services do you offer?

At SmarterKorean, I work as an online Korean language coach & Korea expert helping people live, travel, and work in South Korea with confidence. I also do business strategy coaching to help others create location independent businesses that align with their passions. 

BGLL: What opportunities were you able to take advantage of because of your language?

Nathan: Learning Korean opened up a multitude of doors for me both professionally and personally. Korean has helped me stand out in my job applications, work for international companies in both South Korea and Spain, ask for competitive salaries, and allowed me to open my own online business. Being able to speak Korean allowed me to experience living in South Korea on a much deeper level with a different understanding of the culture.

BGLL: Which of your foreign languages is your favorite and why?

Nathan: Korean will always have my heart first and foremost. A lot of people don´t know that Korean is more than just a ¨ language¨ for me. It is a part of who I am and my life. I used the Korean language as a way to escape my abusive household and create a better life for myself. Learning Korean as a teenager helped to develop confidence and discover a new culture. I was determined to learn Korean well enough so that I could escape my violent home life, apply for a scholarship and go to university abroad. Now, I have fallen in love with the Russian language and am excited to see where it takes me in the future!

BGLL: What are 3 tips you can offer those who are trying to learn another language?

Nathan: First, don´t be afraid to make mistakes when learning and practicing your new language. Let me tell you: the more mistakes you make in the beginning, the better. It's the people who aren´t afraid to just ¨speak¨ that improve the fastest! 

Next, create a language learning notebook. It’s what I teach all my students in the beginning when learning Korean. Keep it well organized with new vocabulary, grammar, and phrases that you learn on a daily basis.

Lastly, use post-it notes. My bedroom as a teenager was filled with small post-its with Korean written on them. Such as a post-it on my mirror in Korean with the Korean word for mirror.

BGLL: How can we keep up with you on social?

Nathan: You can find my personal story and my Korean classes at: SmarterKorean.com. Also, be sure to like the SmarterKorean Facebook page for our weekly live Korean classes! My personal Instagram if you want to keep up with my crazy adventures and stories is @Nateabroad. 

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4/04/2020

Should You Mimic The Natives?

Hola linguistas,

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But did you know that by imitating you can also learn?

Have you ever heard of mimicking the natives to help craft your communication style, improve pronunciation and fluency in your target language?

If not, check out my latest YouTube video above, where I'll share 3 different ways you can imitate native speakers to improve your target language skills.

By the way, this mocking them to make fun, this is replicating what they do in order to sound more native and have a more fluent communication style. I recommend only using these techniques in the privacy of your own home and NOT in public.

What are some things you’ve gleaned from native speakers that help you with your communication style, your pronunciation and fluency? Let us know in the comments below.


Xoxo,



Language Bae
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Welcome to Black Girls Learn Languages, the FIRST multi-platform digital community for Black women who are passionate about languages.

On this site, you'll find resources to help you with different languages as well as interviews featuring successful black multilinginguals complete with their tips to keep you encouraged, inspired and motivated on your language learning journey!

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About The Creator




Hi, I'm Language Bae! I'm a Foreign Language Enthusiast and an aspiring Polyglot.

I created this digital community to be THE online resource for black women in the language community who are either language learners, language enthusiasts or linguistas--women who have mastered language. My goal is to inspire and encourage black women in the language community by celebrating images of us as multilinguals and allowing us to connect with each other.

I aim to provide guidance and support with helpful tips, resources and content to those pursuing multilingualism. Language learning is a journey not a destination. Let's make this journey together.

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      • Yes, AAVE Is A Language. No, You Don’t Get to Use It
      • Video Interview With Jamila of Jamii Linguists!
      • Need Language Buddies? Get Tandem!
      • #MCM Edition: He Started the First Black-Owned Onl...
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