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“The Africanization of U.S. English has been passed on from one generation to the next. This generational continuity provides a common thread across the span of time, even as each new group stamps its own linguistic imprint on the Game. Despite numerous educational and social efforts to eradicate AAL over time, the language has not only survived, it has thrived, adding to and enriching the English language. From several African languages: the tote in tote bags, from Kikongo, tota, meaning to carry; cola in Coca-Cola, from Temne, kola; banjo from Kimbundu, mbanza; banana, from Wolof and Fulani. Even the good old American English word, okay, has African language roots. Several West African languages use kay, or a similar form, and add it to a statement to confirm and convey the meaning of ‘yes, indeed,’ ‘of course,’ ‘all right.’ For example, in Wolof, waw kay, waw ke; in Fula, eeyi kay; among the Mandingo, o-ke.”
-Geneva Smitherman, Word From The Mother: Language and African Americans
