What'* the difference between the three? Aren't they basically the same thing?

I don't think they are the same. I'd say jargon is kinda a "slang" terms for a group of technical language. Slang is anything that is used in popular culture that is a spinoff of a word, or similar word, etc... I believe, and someone tell me if i'm way off here, Ebonics is a collection of the slang and dialect of mainly urban African-American subcultures.

Those would be my personal definitions, I could be wrong.

I think you're right. What was confusing me I guess was that they're all a set of words that are used by certain groups of people. I guess that'* what I was getting at. lol.

Yeah, I'm with you there.

Jargon - Usually refers to the words necessary to communicate when in a specialized group. Special words you need to know. Cams, cranks, starter, lifter, rocker, head, block, etc are jargon. Things you need to know when talking about cars. They are specific to a group of people, but not a specific group of people within a group of people (hold on, stay with me here).

Slang - I would say is almost like jargon for jargon. I'm losing myself here. I dunno, audiophile comes to mind. UUUuuummmm....I can only think of gangster stuff right now. Oh, like rims is jargon. Dubs is slang. Say you walked up to a blonde and said dubs. She wouldn't know the slang, so you would say rims. She doesn't know the jargon rims either. So you say wheels which is more laymans.

Ebonics is sorta different. I think the epidimy (sp?) of ebonics is like Lil John and the Eastside Boyz.

For you older folks...
Hey you, Lil; John Buster! Are you read to take it to the dancefloor, alright
This is how we do then, do then
Dance and take it to them, to them
Signal the plan now we do then, do then
Dance and take it to them to them


And it goes on. Thats how I understand it, but I could be way off (on the terms and on the lyrics).

Ebonics is a made up language created by African Americans to add to their culture.
I really don't see the point.
Slang and Jargon have nothing to do with it. They are just common adaptations of proper english.

dont forget about jive!

Don't see the point? More or less it is a combination of slang and a heavy accent. A mix of an african accent and an american accent. The only reason it is noticeable IMHO is because minorities stick together so it never really goes away.

Every minority group has thier own way of saying things. I don't really see why only some should have a new language.

Its not a new language, its a new dialect...

the point of ebonics?

it identifies an outsider as soon as one opens his/her mouth. not quite as good as skin color, which you can see immediately, but this particular group doesnt have that luxury.

why not use language to identify an outsider?