DEA Searches for Ebonics Translators to Aid Investigations

[apples and oranges]

"They saw a need for this in a couple of their investigations," he said. "And when you see a need - it may not be needed now - but we want the contractors to provide us with nine people just in case."

Unfortunately, the DEA is being scrutinized for its decision to enlist these types of translators because there is a debate surrounding Ebonics and whether or not it should be considered its own language, dialect, or neither.

Ebonics, which is also known as African American Vernacular English, has been described by the psychologist who coined the term as the combination of English vocabulary with African language structure.

Because Ebonics evolves so quickly, linguists say it can be difficult for those not acquainted with it to translate its true meaning.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20014574-504083.html

[Newsjock]

1. 'Golly!'

n/t

[slackmaster]

2. "Bernice" means cocaine. "To rent" means to steal.

Link to LBN thread, which is already in progress.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4515176&mesg_id=4515176

[Brewman_Jax]

3. This isn't from The Onion?

Don't know whether to :eyes: or :rofl: or

[Warren DeMontague]

4. "The junkie calls the marijuana cigarette a roach.... because it resembles a cockroach"