“Ax” vs. “Ask”: Unraveling Linguistic Prejudice and the Myth of “Correct” Language

Hey there, language enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a linguistic controversy that’s been “axing” for attention.

We’ve all seen it. Someone says “Can I ax you a question?” and immediately, judgments start flying. I’ve seen comment sections explode with people claiming this pronunciation is “insulting to intelligence” or a sign of poor education. But hold onto your grammar guides, because were about to flip this script.

During my undergrad years at UCLA, I took a linguistic anthropology class that completely transformed my understanding of language. One of the most eye-opening topics we covered was the use of “ax” for “ask.”

The Historical Plot Twist

Here’s the kicker: “ax” isn’t a modern mispronunciation or a sign of lower intellect. In fact, it has some serious historical validity.

Believe it or not, “ax” has been around since the days of Old English. Both “ascian” and “acsian” were common forms of the word back then. This means that “ax” has been a legitimate alternative pronunciation for over a thousand years!¹

Even the legendary Geoffrey Chaucer, father of English literature, used “ax” in his writings. If it’s good enough for Chaucer, it’s good enough for me!²

The Prejudice Problem

This revelation completely shattered the misconception that using “ax” somehow correlates with a lack of intelligence or education. It’s simply a different pronunciation that has persisted in various dialects, including African American Vernacular English (AAVE).³

So why do people still jump to negative conclusions when they hear “ax”?

It all boils down to linguistic prejudice. We often make unfounded assumptions about people’s intelligence or education based on how they speak. But as we’ve seen, these assumptions are often rooted in ignorance of language history and evolution.

The Man-Made Nature of Language

Here’s something we often forget: language is entirely man-made. Every rule, every “correct” pronunciation, every grammatical structure – it’s all invented by humans. There’s no universal, cosmic rulebook for language.

When we say something is “correct” or “incorrect” in language, we’re really just referring to a set of arbitrary rules that humans came up with and agreed upon at some point in history. These rules can (and do) change over time, and they vary across cultures and communities. E.g. saying “I’m good” vs “I’m well” when someone asks how you are doing. ⁴

The Takeaway

Language is alive, constantly evolving, and beautifully diverse. What we often label as “correct” or “standard” is often just the result of historical chance and human decision-making rather than any inherent superiority.

So, the next time you hear someone say “ax,” remember: they’re not butchering the language or displaying lower intellect – they’re keeping a piece of linguistic history alive. And they’re reminding us that language is a flexible, human-created tool for communication, not a rigid set of unbreakable rules.

If you catch yourself making judgments based on someone’s speech, take a moment to reflect on the rich, complex, and entirely human-made history behind our words.

Further Reading

1. The ‘ax’ versus ‘ask’ question ↩︎
2. Why Chaucer Said ‘Ax’ Instead Of ‘Ask,’ And Why Some Still Do ↩︎
3. Linguistic Anthropology: A Reader – 2nd Edition ↩︎
4. I’m Good or I’m Well? ↩︎