African American Vernacular English

Words: 353

Pages: 2

The language in the excerpt from 'The Color Purple' () conforms to several principles of the AAVE variation of English. This essay explores the language in aspects of grammar, syntax and vocabulary in relation to Labov's categorisation of this variety.
The African American Vernacular English is, as the name suggests, a variation widely used by Americans of African descent. Thought of to have three possible origins (Hong Kong) the variety is nevertheless a non-standard variety of English. The main aspect of the variety is ethnicity, giving the speakers a common ethnic identity (ELL, 11.6). Though an ethnicity does not immediately distinguish one’s idiolect, in ‘The Color Purple’ it plays a major role, both in grammar and lexis.
In general, the

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African American Vernacular English and Ebonics Essay

connotations 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 among 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 account…

Words 1219 - Pages 5

Vernacular Language Essay

Vernacular language is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is a second or foreign language to a population. Vernacular language is the native language of a specific population during the middle Ages. Latin and French were the most commonly used for literature. The general population did not have the ability to read or write. Mainly, the only people who learned how to read and write were the wealthy and upper class…

Words 480 - Pages 2

American English Vs Ebonics Research Paper

Standard American English vs Ebonics Going to your everyday typical places such as restaurants, malls, grocery shopping, and coffee shops you see many different cultures. Everyone dresses, eat, and even talks differently. When you approach different crowds you see younger people talk differently amongst themselves or when they speak to others they may sometimes speak full SAE (Standard American English). However, the big topic of controversy of today is how SAE vs ebonics is used today in the modern…

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Chapter Summary: Addressing Vernacular Language

Summary Addressing vernacular home language in standard English instruction is explored in this chapter. Harvey (2008) begins by evaluating the differences between the vernacular language of African American students - Ebonics - and standard English. A correlation is presented between social class and the prevalence of irregular sounds in language use. From this, the conclusion is drawn that students’ extensive use of vernacular over standard English lowers their achievement in school and further…

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John Rickford Ebonics

sociolinguist John Rickford describes the African American vernacular language as, “not just slang, but an English dialect, sharing a lot with other English varieties, but with some pretty distinctive features of its own” (“Suite for Ebony and Phonics” 2). (Bridge) Rickford’s definition of Ebonics is distinguishing and stabilizing, and it allows for the Oakland School Board to propose a resolution establishing the language as the mother tongue of their African American students. (Divided Stasis/Thesis Statement)…

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Vernacular English Chapter Summary

In Chapter 1 of Navigating English Grammar, Anne Lobeck and Kristin Denham write that “English (like other languages) is a continuum of (many) different language varieties or dialects” (2). Even though English is spoken all over America, not all Americans speak or sound the same, meaning each American English speaker has a dialect. Some dialects are more noticeable than others. Speakers acquire their dialects from those around them and the social position of the community where they live, were born…

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Persuasive Essay

Persuasive Essay What would happen if the famous African American have a national holiday? In an article says that Richard Allen, A famous African American should have a National Holiday. In my opinion I think he should have the National Holiday. If he doesn’t have it, it will be unfair because he helped a lot in the community, so I agree with the idea for the following reasons (A) He founded the African Methodist Episcopal (AME), (B) He was a minister, educator and writer, (C) He opened the first…

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Audience Design In Disney's Animated Films

(43.1 percent) speak “a variety of US English which is not stigmatized in social or regional terms”. After the analysis of the language used by 371 characters in Disney’s animated movies, the author found that only a small percentage of the protagonists used social or regional US English. Additionally, characters with positive motives use Standard American English, characters who are malignant and have negative motives use British and other variations of English (Green, 1997). This research becomes…

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Essay on Cultural Anthropology

I believe that culture influences language greatly. For example, I’m an African American woman that was raised around college-educated people. Speaking correctly was extremely important in my family. As a person of color, at times, we are judged based on dialect. As unfortunate as it seems people will judge you on the way that you speak. My family went of their way to make sure that we spoke correct English. I remember a time when I was younger and attempted to use slang or Ebonics…

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Perseverance In Langston Hughes's Poetry

Poet Voice of African-Americans."). Despite her monetary troubles, she took pride in herself and her race, and often told Langston stories of his family, how they fought to end slavery, and the importance of education ("Langston Hughes, 1902-1967: The Poet Voice of African-Americans."; "Langston Hughes' Biography"). This inspired Hughes to attend college, and most notably, become a poet ("Langston Hughes' Biography"). Many of Langston Hughes's poems depict the struggle of Black Americans during his…

Words 1208 - Pages 5