Since there are different terms for the English of African Americans and in order to not confuse the reader chapter 2 lists and defines the most common terms used by linguists concerned with this topic. In chapter 3 the Oakland School Board proposal is mentioned and its contents are summarised. Before investigating the features of the African American dialect of English, I am going to take a look at its history as well as different theories of how it actually arose. Chapter 5 is concerned with various phonological, grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic features which are characteristic for the English of African Americans and make it an interesting and unique dialect.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Terminology
- The Oakland School Board proposal
- History
- Features
- Phonological features
- Grammatical features
- Time reference
- Negation
- Complex sentence formation
- Other grammatical features
- Semantic features
- Pragmatic features
- Conclusion
- Works Cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of African American English (AAE), exploring its history, terminology, and key features. It seeks to examine the development of AAE as a distinct dialect of English, considering its unique phonological, grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic characteristics.
- The evolution and origins of AAE, encompassing various theories and historical influences.
- A detailed analysis of the linguistic features that differentiate AAE from Standard American English (SAE).
- The controversy surrounding the Oakland School Board's proposal to recognize Ebonics as the primary language of African American students.
- The debate regarding the role of African languages and dialects in the development of AAE.
- The significance of AAE as a distinct and rule-governed linguistic system, challenging perceptions of it as slang or substandard English.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the paper, outlining its organization and providing a brief overview of the topic of AAE. It explains the need for a comprehensive understanding of AAE, including its diverse terminology and its historical development.
- Terminology: This chapter introduces the various terms used to describe African American English, including African American English (AAE), African American Vernacular English (AAVE), and Ebonics. It clarifies the scope of the paper by focusing on the informal speech of African Americans, specifically AAVE.
- The Oakland School Board Proposal: This chapter delves into the controversial proposal by the Oakland School Board to recognize Ebonics as the primary language of African American students. It examines the rationale behind the proposal, its reception by the general public, and its implications for education.
- History: This chapter explores the historical development of AAE, examining different theories regarding its origins, including the Afrocentric, Eurocentric, and Creolist views. It discusses the influence of African languages, colonial English, and the process of pidginization on the formation of AAE.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main focus of this term paper lies in the examination of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), a distinctive dialect of English characterized by unique phonological, grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic features. Key terms explored include Ebonics, Standard American English (SAE), pidgin, creolization, and the Oakland School Board proposal. The paper analyzes the historical development of AAE, considering various theoretical perspectives and their impact on the linguistic features of this dialect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is African American Vernacular English (AAVE)?
AAVE is a distinct and rule-governed dialect of English primarily spoken by African Americans, characterized by unique phonological and grammatical features.
What was the Oakland School Board proposal?
It was a controversial 1996 proposal to recognize Ebonics (AAVE) as a primary language for African American students to improve their educational outcomes.
Is AAVE considered slang or substandard English?
Linguists argue that AAVE is a complex, systematic linguistic system and should not be viewed as slang or "incorrect" English.
What are the main theories on the origins of AAVE?
The primary theories include the Afrocentric view, the Eurocentric view, and the Creolist view, which considers processes like pidginization.
What are some grammatical features of AAE?
Key features include specific rules for time reference, negation patterns, and unique complex sentence formations.
What is the difference between AAE and SAE?
The differences lie in phonology, grammar, semantics, and pragmatics, distinguishing AAE from Standard American English (SAE).
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2004, African American English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/71263
