Comments on: ask, pronounced “ax” or “aks”

By: Robb

Robb — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:02:09 +0000

When writing in the African-American vernacular, what is the “correct” spelling of this word? Aks, ax, or axe?

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:32:02 +0000

I think this is a rather culturally insensitive way of looking at it! “I seen” and “I done” are also internally correct in some dialects – different dialects are governed by different rules. I, myself, am British, so I don’t speak write your beautiful language in the correct way – I pronounce “awe” in the same way as “or”, and I spell “-or” words such as “color” and “favor” with “-our” instead. But this doesn’t mean I’m doing any damage to your language – I’m simply respecting the rules of a variant.

By: Gay S.

Gay S. — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:15:48 +0000

I despise this ridiculous reply to the question of “ax” vs “ask”. Ax is never never never acceptable for correct English. Is it a common mistake, especially in the African American vernacular? YES, but that does not make it right… Lets try to teach people the correct way to speak our beautiful language instead of copping out and saying that AX is ok in some sub cultures of our country. Ax instead of Ask is just as wrong as I Seen, instead of I saw… or as wrong as I done instead of I did… Get it right, say it right, and maybe teach somebody something by your good example.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:11:04 +0000

“Modern dialectal ax is as old as O.E. acsian and was an accepted literary variant until c.1600.”

(taken from http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=ask)

In fact, “ask” was originally the “incorrect” usage.

By: Akemi

Akemi — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:12:51 +0000

I agree with Andy.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:10:55 +0000

I don’t agree. This varies by dialect. In African-American Vernacular English, this pronunciation is accepted and internally valid. I think you’re talking about “regionally-appropriate”, not “correct” pronunciation