AAVE

 Blog #7: Black English (AAVE)

What is AAVE?

African American Vernacular English, otherwise known as Black English by Sociolinguistics or Ebonics outside the academic world, is a language spoken by a large number of African Americans in the United States. AAVE is a variation of standard form of English that was determined by its own set of grammar conventions although there is a negative connotation surrounding AAVE, even the term 'Ebonics' which a blend word of 'Ebony' and 'Phonics' although it was coined by group of black scholars in 1973 later came to grow a negative connotation to the point it was viewed as a slur to some.

"Black English is what happened when African Slaves, who are adults, learned English very quickly" Says John McWhorter. McWhorter refers to the aspects of Black English was through simplified forms of Standard English. AAVE is often thought of 'Bad English' but it is not! It is a dialect of English, in the way that British English is.

How is it Different?

  

    A few Grammatical Features differences are:

•  omission of verbal copula "be", "is", or "are" for example; "He workin'"

• Habitual Aspect Marker for when something is on going; "He be working"

• A remote present perfect marker (stressed been) "It has been a long time"

According to John McWhorter, Black English developed from standard English in 16-1700s was a Vernacular Form of English "spoken by vernacular people" but over simplifying it to the way the black english simplifies Modern English and modern english is a simplification of old english to the extent that Black English heard as Broken English and even Standard English would sound like broken English to Others which would mean eventually through language evolution we end up using something that isn't full systematic nuanced speech.

Grammar Revolution. "John McWhorter on Black English (or AAVE)" Youtube, uploaded by Grammar Revolution, 24th July 2016 of Publication, https://youtu.be/zw4pD4DNOHc