African American Vernacular English Language Essay

African American Vernacular English African American Vernacular English can be described as an assortment of American English that is mostly used by urban-working class and mostly bi-dialectical middle-class black Americans. The language is also commonly known as Black Vernacular English or Black English. In some cases, particularly outside the academic community, it is referred to as Ebonics given its distinctive features and similarities with other non-standard English varieties. The similarities with other varieties are evident when compared to various standard and non-standard English languages that are commonly used in the United States and the Caribbean. In the past few years, African American Vernacular English has been the subject of various public debates and attracted considerable attention among sociolinguists. This paper examines the development of this language, its distinctive features, cultural context, and socio-economic implications of the use of African America n Vernacular English. Roots of African American Vernacular English The history and origin of African American Vernacular English and other varieties associated with it has been an issue of increased controversy (Sidnell, n.d.). However, the roots of this language were undoubtedly established in the rural South whereas its 20th Century development as a socio-cultural variety is strongly linked to its use in non-Southern urban regions. In essence, the emergence of urban Black English is aShow MoreRelatedAfrican American Vernacular English (Aave)1503 Words   |  7 PagesAfrican American Vernacular English The United States of America is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. Even though there is not an official national language, most Americans speak Standard American English (SAE). However, the most prevalent native English vernacular dialect in the United States is African American Vernacular English (AAVE). According to Sharon Vaughn, AAVE is â€Å"a dialect used by some African Americans† (110). In order to examine AAVE, one mustRead MoreAfrican American English ( Aae )1305 Words   |  6 PagesAfrican American English (AAE) is commonly referred to as Ebonics, as well as black speech, black vernacular, and several other phrases. According to William Labov, â€Å"This African American Vernacular English shares most of its grammar and vocabulary with other dialects of English. But it is distinct in many ways, and it is more different from Standard English (SE) than any other dialect spoken in continental North America.† (Pullum, 39) AAE is a precious product of a people who mastered a languageRead MoreThe Future Of Black English And Its Academic Impact On African American Children1291 Words   |  6 PagesThe Future of ‘Black English’ and its Academic Impact on African-American Children Introduction Language plays a key role in communication in any society, culture and organization. This medium of social interaction is universal and has been passed down for centuries as a legacy. Therefore, it is imperative that the purity of the language is kept within each framework of heritage. Culture also plays a very important role in the evolution of language. It is the foundation of social engagement andRead MoreSpeech Is Nothing More Than Incorrect English1373 Words   |  6 Pagesalike have made their fair share of jokes on this word comprised of â€Å"ebony† and â€Å"phonics†, which is used when referring to the speech of African American English speakers (Pullum, 321). While some would say that this variety of speech is nothing more than incorrect English, others would argue that African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is in fact a language on its own, complete with rules, complexities, and patterns (Pullum, 321). The opposing sides on this issue have sparked contr oversial debatesRead MoreEssay about ebonics1044 Words   |  5 Pagesconnotations of terms like Nonstandard Negro English that had been coined in the 1960s when the first modern large-scale linguistic studies of African American speech communities began. However, the term Ebonics never caught on amongst linguists, much less among the general public. That all changed with the Ebonics controversy of December 1996 when the Oakland (CA) School Board recognized it as the primary language of its majority African American students and resolved to take it into accountRead MoreThe African Vernacular English1850 Words   |  7 Pagesebonics be messin’ wit Standard English, but it be enrichin’ it in a lotta ways. If you did not quite understand the first sentence, here is a â€Å"proper† translation; many people believe that African-American English negatively affects Standard English, but it actually enriches it in various ways. Black English, Ebonics, ghetto talk, sl ang, and Black Vernacular are all different words or phrases used to describe the African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) language. There are certain factors thatRead MoreThe Grammar Of Urban African American Vernacular English By Walt Wolfram1368 Words   |  6 Pagesurban African American Vernacular English by Walt Wolfram Introduction †¢ The roots of contemporary of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) were establish in the rural South . †¢ In the 20th century, it is associated with its use in non-Souther urban areas. †¢ Urban AAVE was a by-product of the great Migration o African-Americans moved from rural South to metropolitan areas of the North. o Demographic movement is not a sufficient explanation for the cultural shift. o 90% of African AmericansRead MoreAfrican American Vernacular English†¯ 1494 Words   |  6 PagesAfrican American Vernacular English†¯ Background: †¯ African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is the variety previously known as Black English Vernacular or Vernacular Black English by sociolinguists, and commonly called Ebonics outside the academic community. However, some characteristics of AAVE are seemingly unique in its structure. It also includes a number of standard and nonstandard English varieties are spoken by the US and the Caribbean people. AAVE has been the core of many public debatesRead MoreWhat is Ebonics? Essay1197 Words   |  5 Pagescultures and languages. For many years America has challenged other forms of language besides English. With America becoming more diverse the country can no longer ignore the different languages within our society. The African-American culture has gone through a transition of what it means to be â€Å"black† in America and language is no acceptance. Africans brought to America did not understand English but over time many blacks learned the socially acceptable or proper form of language. Even thoughRead More Code Switching in William Wells Browns Clotel Essay896 Words   |  4 Pagesone would speak to a scholar, or speak to a prison inmate in the same regard that one would speak with the President of the United States. Speaking in standard American English and then in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), or Ebonics, portrays the most prominent use of code switching in today’s society, especially among American youths. Today, people utilize code switching to associate better amongst a group of people. In William Wells Brown’s Clotel, code switching plays an important role