Culture Teaches Language: African American English

        One of the main differences between African American English or Vernacular and any other dialect of the English language is that there’s a deep history within the usage of language and why it is used in the manner that it is.  The dialect itself, is complex for multiple reasons, and one being that the dialect doesn’t have a geographical boundary, but is inclusive of mostly Southern and Western regions of the U.S.  In addition, many terms have been utilized in order to refer to African American English, such as Ebonics, as well as encompass different ethnic categorizations that all are tied back to this dialect.  This is directly related to the linguistic system itself, in the sense that it is the result of an outgrowing of European languages and West African languages that were combined during the times of slavery. Elements such as social class, degree of segregation among people, etc. cause the creation of words that aren’t necessarily seen in different areas of the country, but are present in other’s. What is meant by this is that specific social situations that effect the dialect’s development, consist of densely populated areas that share in the same dialect, and aren’t extensively exposed to other dialects or intrusion of their community by people that practice a different dialect.  Continuing from that, African American English in a sense has been developed as a way for those that practice it, to distinguish themselves from speakers of other English dialects.  Many children are incorporating these dialectal practices into their speech before they even begin schooling at age 5. 

'African American English' differences from 'Standard English' practices

Many of the examples seen within the chart above are relevant particularly to the dialect’s growth culturally as opposed to growth in an educational setting, although often times the dialect is attempted to be brought to the classroom by educators.  The linguistic construct that is African American English is extensive because it is expressed in cultural elements such as music, particularly in the work from the artist Tupac Shakur.  Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks in Harlem, New York, became a hip hop icon and esteemed writer before his untimely death in 1996.  Having lived the majority of his life in Los Angeles, California, this echoed in his writing and musical work especially showcased in the song titled, “Keep Ya Head Up.”  Not only is the music produced by Tupac inclusive of African American English vocabulary such as, ‘holla’, ‘ain’t’, and ‘be real’, but also proclaims phrases like, ‘And I ain’t tryna gas ya up’ and ‘2Pac cares if don’t nobody else care.’  This musical example of African American English is practical because it is an idolized form of the dialect that is still listened to today, while including structural and vocabulary elements repeated today.  Although there is no way to study the entire expansiveness of African American English, scholars have concluded that many similar characteristics and features appear in the speech and literature of African Americans throughout the United States.