skyrider 0 #1 August 23, 2010 AUGUST 23--The Department of Justice is seeking to hire linguists fluent in Ebonics to help monitor, translate, and transcribe the secretly recorded conversations of subjects of narcotics investigations, according to federal records. A maximum of nine Ebonics experts will work with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta field division, where the linguists, after obtaining a “DEA Sensitive” security clearance, will help investigators decipher the results of “telephonic monitoring of court ordered nonconsensual intercepts, consensual listening devices, and other media” The DEA’s need for full-time linguists specializing in Ebonics is detailed in bid documents related to the agency’s mid-May issuance of a request for proposal (RFP) covering the provision of as many as 2100 linguists for the drug agency’s various field offices. Answers to the proposal were due from contractors on July 29. In contract documents, which are excerpted here, Ebonics is listed among 114 languages for which prospective contractors must be able to provide linguists. The 114 languages are divided between “common languages” and “exotic languages.” Ebonics is listed as a “common language” spoken solely in the United States. Ebonics has widely been described as a nonstandard variant of English spoken largely by African Americans. John R. Rickford, a Stanford University professor of linguistics, has described it as “Black English” and noted that “Ebonics pronunciation includes features like the omission of the final consonant in words like ‘past’ (pas’ ) and ‘hand’ (han’), the pronunciation of the th in ‘bath’ as t (bat) or f (baf), and the pronunciation of the vowel in words like ‘my’ and ‘ride’ as a long ah (mah, rahd).” Detractors reject the notion that Ebonics is a dialect, instead considering it a bastardization of the English language. The Department of Justice RFP does not, of course, address questions of vernacular, dialect, or linguistic merit. It simply sought proposals covering the award of separate linguist contracts for seven DEA regions. The agency spends about $70 million annually on linguistic service programs, according to contract records. In addition to the nine Ebonics experts, the DEA’s Atlanta office also requires linguists for eight other languages, including Spanish (144 linguists needed); Vietnamese (12); Korean (9); Farsi (9); and Jamaican patois (4). The Atlanta field division, one of the DEA’s busiest, is the only office seeking linguists well-versed in Ebonics. Overall, the “majority of DEA’s language requirements will be for Spanish originating in Central and South America and the Caribbean,” according to one contract document. The Department of Justice RFP includes a detailed description of the crucial role a linguist can play in narcotics investigations. They are responsible for listening to “oral intercepts in English and foreign languages,” from which they provide verbal and typed summaries. “Subsequently, all pertinent calls identified by the supervising law enforcement officer will be transcribed verbatim in the required federal or state format,” the RFP notes. Additionally, while “technology plays a major role in the DEA’s efforts, much of its success is increasingly dependent upon rapid and meticulous understanding of foreign languages used in conversations by speakers of languages other than English and in the translation, transcription and preparation of written documents.” (11 pages). http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/bizarre/justice-department-seeks-ebonics-experts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,603 #2 August 23, 2010 Ebonics is really just a version of "I don't care about spelling or grammar as long as the people I know can understand me." Of course, there's no one on dz.com who posts like that Wendy P. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #3 August 23, 2010 Quote Ebonics is really just a version of "I don't care about spelling or grammar as long as the people I know can understand me." Of course, there's no one on dz.com who posts like that Wendy P. Well we sure as hell needed one for Snuffy on rec.skydiving. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 3 #4 August 23, 2010 Man, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #5 August 23, 2010 Is Barbara Billingsley still available? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #6 August 23, 2010 QuoteMan, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #7 August 23, 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EvR3_S23KM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #8 August 23, 2010 Quote Ebonics is really just a version of "I don't care about spelling or grammar as long as the people I know can understand me." Of course, there's no one on dz.com who posts like that Wendy P. Init!When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #9 August 23, 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RljdyXeft04 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #10 August 23, 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klxGFAnY4nI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #11 August 24, 2010 QuoteQuoteMan, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! It's all he has - he's worn out 3 of these things in the last year. Hey, Andy - I'm told you can transfer your 'race card' points 2-to-1 to the new 'religion card'.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #12 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Man, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! It's all he has - he's worn out 3 of these things in the last year. Hey, Andy - I'm told you can transfer your 'race card' points 2-to-1 to the new 'religion card'. You guys are worse than a dog with a bone! Go back and check out the whole thread,....If you ask me, your the racist! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #13 August 24, 2010 Quote Is Barbara Billingsley still available? That was Jive, not ebonics.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #14 August 24, 2010 I thought, they taught Ebonics in California schools!? Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pbwing 0 #15 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Is Barbara Billingsley still available? That was Jive, not ebonics. Is there not some sort of conversion course that all the jive-speaking officers could get their ebonics endorsement?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrDree 0 #16 August 24, 2010 Big L - "Ebonics" Yo, pay attention And listen real closely how I break this slang shit down... Check it, my weed smoke is my lye A ki of coke is a pie When I'm lifted, I'm high With new clothes on, I'm fly Cars is whips and sneakers is kicks Money is chips, movies is flicks Also, cribs is homes, jacks is pay phones Cocaine is nose candy, cigarettes is bones A radio is a box, a razor blade is a ox Fat diamonds is rocks and jakes is cops And if you got rubbed, you got stuck You got shot, you got bucked And if you got double-crossed, you got fucked Your bankroll is your poke, a choke hold is a yoke A kite is a note, a con is a okey doke And if you got punched that mean you got snuffed To clean is to buff, a bull scare is a strong bluff I know you like the way I'm freakin' it I talk with slang and I'ma never stop speakin' it A burglary is a jook, a woof's a crook Mobb Deep already explained the meanin' of shook If you caught a felony, you caught a F If you got killed, you got left If you got the dragon, you got bad breath If you 730, that mean you crazy Hit me on the hip means page me Angel dust is sherm, if you got AIDS, you got the germ If a chick gave you a disease, then you got burned Max mean to relax, guns and pistols is gats Condoms is hats, critters is cracks The food you eat is your grub A victim's a mark A sweat box is a small club, your tick is your heart Your apartment is your pad Your old man is your dad The studio is the lab and heated is mad I know you like the way I'm freakin' it I talk with slang and I'ma never stop speakin' it The iron horse is the train and champaign is bubbly A deuce is a honey that's ugly If your girl is fine, she's a dime A suit is a fine, jewelry is shine If you in love, that mean you blind Genuine is real, a face card is a hundred dollar bill A very hard, long stare is a grill If you sneakin' to go see a girl, that mean you creepin' Smilin' is cheesin', bleedin' is leakin' Beggin is bummin, if you nuttin you comin Takin' orders is sunnin', an ounce of coke is a onion A hotel's a telly, a cell phone's a celly Jealous is jelly, your food box is your belly To guerrilla mean to use physical force You took a L, you took a loss To show off mean floss, uh I know you like the way I'm freakin' it I talk with slang and I'ma never stop speakin' it."One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." Dudeist Skydiver #101 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #17 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Quote Man, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! It's all he has - he's worn out 3 of these things in the last year. Hey, Andy - I'm told you can transfer your 'race card' points 2-to-1 to the new 'religion card'. You guys are worse than a dog with a bone! Go back and check out the whole thread,....If you ask me, your the racist! Prove your cite.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #18 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote Man, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! It's all he has - he's worn out 3 of these things in the last year. Hey, Andy - I'm told you can transfer your 'race card' points 2-to-1 to the new 'religion card'. You guys are worse than a dog with a bone! Go back and check out the whole thread,....If you ask me, your the racist! Prove your cite. Racist!I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #19 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote Man, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! It's all he has - he's worn out 3 of these things in the last year. Hey, Andy - I'm told you can transfer your 'race card' points 2-to-1 to the new 'religion card'. You guys are worse than a dog with a bone! Go back and check out the whole thread,....If you ask me, your the racist! Prove your cite. Racist! Yeah, this oughta be good... Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #20 August 24, 2010 QuoteI thought, they taught Ebonics in California schools!? Chuck Chicago! (what are the odds) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #21 August 24, 2010 QuoteQuoteI thought, they taught Ebonics in California schools!? Chuck Chicago! (what are the odds) they didn;t acctually "Teach" ebonics, they hired teachers that coudl understand Ebonics, so they coudl talk the students language... Way yo raise the bar andd help them with a future Chicago! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #22 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote Man, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! It's all he has - he's worn out 3 of these things in the last year. Hey, Andy - I'm told you can transfer your 'race card' points 2-to-1 to the new 'religion card'. You guys are worse than a dog with a bone! Go back and check out the whole thread,....If you ask me, your the racist! Prove your cite. Whats a matter? Playschool computer's don't have search engines? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #23 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Quote I thought, they taught Ebonics in California schools!? Chuck Chicago! (what are the odds) they didn;t acctually "Teach" ebonics, they hired teachers that coudl understand Ebonics, so they coudl talk the students language... Way yo raise the bar andd help them with a future Chicago! There's the answer! They could get some dude or dudette from Chicago to help them!Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #24 August 24, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote Man, you be so skeered o' dem Negros, Gypsy! Why you skeered, boy? I was wondering who would make the first troll comment on a funny post! you really need some new material! It's all he has - he's worn out 3 of these things in the last year. Hey, Andy - I'm told you can transfer your 'race card' points 2-to-1 to the new 'religion card'. You guys are worse than a dog with a bone! Go back and check out the whole thread,....If you ask me, your the racist! Prove your cite. Whats a matter? Playschool computer's don't have search engines? Actually, I believe it is up to the accuser to prove what it is they are accusing the other of doing. That whole, silly, meaningless "burden of proof" thing again. I know Mike and I would like to see you present some proof for your accusations too.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #25 August 25, 2010 QuoteQuoteProve your cite. Whats a matter? Playschool computer's don't have search engines? Evidently not, since you can't seem to find any examples of my supposed racism.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
