So I'll begin with your derogatory comment.



1. Nearly everyone with an education in linguistics will say it is. People with no education in linguistics will often say it isn't. I think you'll agree that "idiots" are more likely to fall within the second group. Don't believe me? Ask anyone with a linguistics degree from a reputable institution. Anyone.

2. Pig Latin is a language game. It does not have any native speakers. Comparing Pig Latin with AAE is like comparing Mario Kart to being a racing driver.

3. Basically, although you probably won't admit it to yourself, the only reason for claiming AAE isn't a language is racism. You can't base such an argument on any characteristic of AAE itself, because not a single relevant fact supports that conclusion. No matter how much people try to dress it up, in the end it boils down to saying that the way white people speak is good, and the way black people speak is bad.

4. None of the above means I don't think people – black or otherwise – shouldn't be taught to communicate in Standard English. Different forms of language are appropriate in different contexts. Standard English is appropriate at a job interview in an English-speaking country, but not when you're at home arguing with your family about who does the dishes. I say this because people often don't understand that I can say AAE is not "bad English" while at the same time not saying schoolchildren should be allowed to write papers in textspeak.