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Explanation of the Sociopolitical Context 

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Explanation of the Sociopolitical Context 

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African American English (AAE) developed through a mix of social and political influences, including slavery, segregation, and systemic racism. It became a symbol of identity and resilience for African Americans, yet society often labels it as "incorrect" or "uneducated" due to ongoing racial bias.

In her TEDx talk, Morgan Gill explains that AAE is a rule-governed dialect, not broken English. She highlights how people judge AAE speakers unfairly, especially in schools and workplaces. Filmer (2003) supports this, noting that AAE speakers often feel pressure to abandon their language to gain acceptance or success (p. 259).

Despite being undervalued in formal spaces, AAE has gained global influence through media and music, showing its cultural power. Still, the fight for respect and recognition continues

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History of this African American English

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History of this African American English

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African American English (AAE) has its roots in slavery, when Africans from different language backgrounds were forced to learn English. To communicate, they blended English with their native languages, creating a new, unique way of speaking. Over time, this evolved into what we now call AAE.

The language continued to grow and change, especially during the Great Migration, when many African Americans moved to cities in the North and West. AAE spread and adapted, keeping its core features. Despite its rich history, AAE has often been unfairly judged as “wrong” or “slang.”

In truth, AAE has its own grammar and rules. For example, using “be” to show something happens regularly—like “She be working”—is a clear, consistent structure. Today, AAE influences music, pop culture, and more. It’s not just a dialect—it’s a powerful part of African American identity and history.

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African American English  Phonological, Morphosyntactic and Lexical Characteristics

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African American English  Phonological, Morphosyntactic and Lexical Characteristics

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African American English (AAE) has unique phonological, morphosyntactic, and lexical features that set it apart from Standard American English. Phonologically, AAE often reduces consonant clusters, like saying “col” instead of “cold,” and may replace “th” sounds with “d” or “f” (e.g., “this” becomes “dis”). Morphosyntactically, it uses structures like the invariant “be” to show habitual actions, as in “She be working,” and often omits the verb “to be,” saying “He my friend” instead of “He is my friend.” Lexically, AAE includes culturally rooted terms like “finna” (meaning “about to”). These features are systematic, expressive, and deeply tied to cultural identity—not mistakes, but meaningful variations of English

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People’s ideologies about African American English (AAE) are often shaped by social bias, stereotypes, and misunderstanding. Many people wrongly believe that AAE is “bad” or “broken” English, when in reality, it’s a legitimate dialect with its own grammar, structure, and history. These negative beliefs are often connected to racism and the idea that Standard English is the only “correct” way to speak.

Some people view AAE as unprofessional or a sign of poor education, even though studies show it’s a rule-governed language used with skill and purpose. This kind of judgment affects how African American students are treated in schools, how they’re evaluated in jobs, and how their intelligence is perceived—often unfairly.

On the other hand, more people today—especially linguists, educators, and younger generations—are starting to recognize and respect AAE. They see it as a cultural treasure and a form of identity and pride for many Black communities. This shift is important in helping break down language discrimination and promoting equity.

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Perceptions Surrounding this African American English 

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Perceptions Surrounding this African American English 

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Perceptions surrounding African American English (AAE) vary widely, but they are often shaped by stereotypes and misinformation. Many people outside the African American community view AAE as informal, incorrect, or a sign of low education. This perception is rooted in racial and class bias, not linguistic fact. In schools and workplaces, AAE speakers may be unfairly judged or pressured to "speak properly," even though AAE follows consistent grammatical rules and serves important cultural and social functions.

At the same time, AAE is also admired and widely imitated in music, entertainment, and popular culture. This creates a double standard—AAE is celebrated when used in songs or media but criticized when used in everyday life, especially by Black individuals. As awareness grows, some educators and linguists are working to change these perceptions and promote respect for AAE as a valid and expressive form of English

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Filmer, A. A. (2003). African-American Vernacular English: Ethics, ideology, and pedagogy in the conflict between identity and power. World Englishes, 22(3), 253–270. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-971X.00295

Thomas, E. R. (2007). Phonological and phonetic characteristics of African American Vernacular English. Language and Linguistics Compass, 1(5), 450–475. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-818x.2007.00029.x

Mair, C. (2016). Beyond and between the “Three Circles”: World Englishes research in the age of globalisation. Anglistik, 27(1), 49–61.

🎥 Videos

Gill, M. (2019, December 2). African American Vernacular English | Morgan Gill | TEDxYouth@RMSST [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNjhB1DW_-s

The Independent. (2021). The history of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZpCdI6ZKU4

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AAVE - African American Vernacular English

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Video of Speaker African American Variation   

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Video of Speaker African American Variation   

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African American Vernacular English | Morgan Gill | TEDxYouth

In her TEDxYouth@RMSST talk, Morgan Gill delves into African American Vernacular English (AAVE), exploring its origins, linguistic structure, and the societal biases it faces. She emphasizes that AAVE is not merely slang but a legitimate, rule-governed dialect with its own grammatical and syntactic norms. Gill highlights how speakers of AAVE often encounter prejudice, being unfairly labeled as uneducated or unprofessional, despite the dialect's rich linguistic heritage. She advocates for greater recognition and respect for AAVE, urging society to move beyond stereotypes and appreciate the dialect's cultural and linguistic significance .

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African American Vernacular English | Morgan Gill | TEDxYouth@RMSST