NOTES ON AAE

Two types of development:

A- First Theory- Slaves of different language backgrounds brought to the U.S. from Africa developed a "Pidgin".

Pidgin- simplified version of language used for communication between people or groups who do not have common language.

The Pidgin used by the African Americans developed into a "creole" which children acquired in their homes through the use of the "creole" by their parents.

*Gullah- Language used on the Islands of South Carolina and Georgia ( resembles the language slaves used on plantations)

B- Second Theory- AAE was learned by slaves who worked alongside indentured servants who spoke non-mainstream types of English.




Spread of AAE

The migration of African Americans from the late 1800's -1970's is responsible for the spread of AAE in the U.S.

African Americans looking to find better jobs and living conditions in Chicago, Philadelphia, and other large cities.

Naturally the African Americans settled in Communities. These communities were kept within geographical areas due to Racism.

AAE was/is a valuable resource and a form of group identity.

Features:

Copula Absense: "They Hungry"
Omits forms of "to be" from the Standard-

However, the words "am, was, and were" are never left out


Habitual Be: "We be playing basketball after school"

Use of the un-conjugated form of the verb "to be" to signal a habitual or regular occuring action
Only refers to regularly occuring or habitual actions


3rd peroson singular-"s" deletion: "He jump high"
Omitting "s" with verbs

Double Negatives: "Aint nobody can beat me"

- Used by WHITE Appalachian speakers; also found in Shakespeare and Chaucer


Pronounciation Features:

The replacing of "b/t/f" for "th"----Birfday
Dropping of "g's" in "ing"

Dropping of second or third consonants