Finding Balance Between Standard English and African American English

 For speakers of African American English, a discrepancy between standard English and African American English can cause an identity dilemma that carries over into every aspect of life. 

African American English (AAE) is considered to be a dialect of the English language that is spoken primarily by African Americans, with its own grammatical and spoken features that differ from standard English. The language was created several centuries ago by enslaved Africans brought to the United States against their will as a form of communication with each other and their masters, and has evolved over time into what we hear and see today.

African American English is often viewed as “slang” or “improper English” by those who do not speak it, but in actuality, it is a unique language that has its own set of distinct rules that must be followed in order for it to be spoken correctly. Because many people see AAE as slang, its speakers are faced with both linguistic and racial prejudices that can affect their overall wellbeing and happiness. Being forced to face these prejudices head on makes it harder for many African Americans to succeed, which Audrey Watkins touches upon in her essay. For those who speak AAE as their primary language, it is often more difficult to find and keep a job. Many employers see AAE as unprofessional and require their workers to speak standard English. Since the use of standard English defines success in our predominantly white society, those who do not speak it fall down the ladder of success and behind their peers. It does not matter how smart, dedicated, or qualified the person is; if they do not speak standard English, they’re out of the running. Simple as that.

Starr Carter protesting the death of her unarmed black friend in The Hate U Give.

One of the most unfortunate aspects of speaking a dialect outside of the standard is the idea that one must conform to the standard to be accepted into society. In Hickey and McQuitty’s piece, they highlight the importance of teaching AAE speakers standard English and vice versa. The goal of this is not to erase a language just to replace it with another one. Instead, the goal is to add it to a person’s catalogue of languages so they have it under their belt and have the option of whether or not they want to use it. By teaching each language group about the structure and history of the other, it gives both groups an opportunity to learn about the biases that surround AAE and work together to erase any potential biases and create a more welcoming environment for everyone. 

Finally, the concept of an identity dilemma stemming from a divide in languages is seen in the novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Starr, the main character, is an African American teenager with dual personalities to fit each of her social lives. She has a personality for her family and neighborhood in which she uses AAE as her primary language, and a personality for her school in which she uses standard English in classes and with friends. She characterizes her poor income neighborhood as “the ghetto,” while her school is a prestigious, predominantly white high school in which she has a scholarship. Racial and linguistic biases are felt by her entire family, not just Starr. Both of her parents are successful in their job fields, but both are often seen as unqualified due to their backgrounds and their use of AAE instead of standard English. Many of Starr’s high school friends view AAE as slang and criticize those that use it, which only justifies her fear of using it outside of her neighborhood. If Starr’s friends had been exposed to AAE from an early age, they would have a better understanding of the language and how it works, and Starr would probably feel more inclined to create a single personality that encompasses both aspects of her life.

African American English speakers are subjected to harsh societal conditions put in place by those in power, and there is nothing that can be done about it unless everyone comes together to solve the problem. If everyone took the time to learn about both standard English and AAE and become an advocate for AAE speakers, prejudices and biases would be eradicated and the ladder of success would become a lot more diverse.