AAE is referred to as “African American English”. AAE has also been known as “broken” English or slang. There are different views on AAE. Some believe that people who use AAE language is “lazy” or “illiterate”. The reason that some people believe that they are “lazy’” or can be mistaken for an illiterate is because people leave out the word endings and do not properly enunciate the words correctly. For example, “store” would become “sto” “going” becomes “gon’’. Other view people who use AAE as a multicultural language, because it is known worldwide and it is how most African Americans communicate. AAE originated from slavery, it became a language because that is how the slave communicated since they were not allowed to go to school. AAE came from how slaves communicate to everyday language. But, do not get AAE, and SAE (Standard American English) confused. It is very similar, because they both do not have a spoken rule, but in writing it is different. Most people are more familiar with SAE because it is how we write, but AAE is just a language we use to communicate. We can use AAE in writing, but it will not be “correct” English. Instead of people seeing AAE as an incorrect usage of proper English, we should view it as just another way people communicate with each other.
In my opinion I believe AAE or any slang is incorrect in all forms and varieties. The English language was made to be the official language of the United States and thats what it should be. AAE may have been used for communication between slaves amongst themselves but that was in the 1800's when they did not have proper education. But in today's society nearly everyone has at least a high school education. Americans have made the English language nearly a disgrace with the slang used in texting, Facebook messaging and even in conversations between one another. Therefore, I hope that all slang would be eradicated.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that AAE is actually considered a language. I've always just assumed it would be considered slang. Which I guess that's all AAE is but I'm surprised it's actually recognized as its own language. I’ve never thought people who use slang words are lazy or illiterate. I’ve always just thought people talk differently based on their culture and upbringing. Coming from a small town with very little diversity I've had little interaction with AAE. However, now that I live in Carbondale I obviously encounter diversity more frequently. Sometimes I really have to listen to what someone is saying when they use AAE or slang to understand what they are saying.
ReplyDeleteI think the use of AAE or slang is alright because it's just another way of communication. As long as people are still writing the English language correct, then I think people should be able to communicate how there culture does. I think the use of Slang should be accepted because everyone is using it on Facebook messaging, through texting, etc. As long as AAE is not effecting the way people write then I believe its ok.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings on the use of AAE. I feel that AAE is ok,on occasion, it is a language. There are several different dialects here in the United States and all areas have things they can work to improve upon. Other thoughts that pass through my mind are that, if you are living in the United States we all should speak proper English. AAE can be very hard to understand at times.
ReplyDeleteAAE or slang as many Americans would call it, is the reason for the decay in conversation. I dislike it with a passion, because it only wrecks our understanding and creates a slothfulness in your respective tongue. I cannot go through one class period without hearing a student say, "like" 500 times when trying to simply describe something. I feel like it is very simple to learn a language and speak it well, however it is difficult to fight the urge to be short and lazy with it.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't like AAE. I belive that if you are educated and know how to speak SAE then you should. I didn't even realize AAE was considered a language until now and I can't say that is something I would agree with.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, AAE was part of my everyday life in which my family and I grew up around it. We used it mainly around the house, with friends, and extended family. But there was a time and a place to use this language and in public, it was not the time. My parents had and still have high expectations for both myself and my brother. I still use it a little bit but for the most part, I speak the way my parents taught me to speak. AAE is in a way a cultural aspect but by the same token should not be used in front of everyone
ReplyDeleteAAE in summary to me is just slang or better put abbreviations in spoken word. The language itself I don't think should be considered something huge or to be highly recognized in changing english writing. People should stick to using the AAE lingo with people they associate with, not authority figures or in interviews of any sort. The use of the language being a sign of illiteracy or stupidity is outlandish to me
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ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as AAE. How someone identified the language African Americans use to communicate as English is beyond me. First, there is only one way to speak proper English, what AA's and other cultures worldwide do is they break the language down to suit their own culture communication practices. That's it, that's all. It is simply SLANG!!! Every culture has some type of slang language. It really pisses me off that targeted African Americans as a subject in this matter
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of slang or broken English being called "AAE" until now so how can this thing called "African American English" exist when there is only one correct way to speak English. However, slang is used by not only African Americans but by all so again, I don't understand why African Americans are the target. It seems as if the author feels that African Americans got so used to slang that they don't speak proper English anymore so it's now our new form of English. When talking to a friend or family I may speak in slang but I know how to speak proper English very well when I feel the need to. Since when did African American get their own form of English? I'm lost....
ReplyDeleteI believe AAE is commonly used in our world today. I think it is split between people who are trying to learn the language and people who are speaking that are lazy. I do not think that this should be targeted towards African Americans. I think everyone has a tendency to do this. It should be targeted at Americans in general not towards one race but I think everyone does it at some point.
ReplyDeleteI believe that AAE is just a comfort zone for people and can sometimes mean that people are less educated. I feel as though language and communication should go hand and hand but speaking is sometimes easier than written language. There also is a time & place for everything even the way you communicate. Even though this my first time reading anything about AAE it seems like a very interesting topic that can rise a couple of eyebrows. My overall view of the article is language should be used correctly in most cases and learn the difference between AAE and SWE.
ReplyDeleteThe term AAE is very new to me and I am African American. I do however believe that African Americans have their own dialect. The way we as a people speak to one another is no different than any other ethnicity. With that being said why is our black slang lazy? Give me a break...
ReplyDeleteI think that using slang in certain times is appropriate. Many cultures have their own certain slangs not just with African Americans. But when it comes to having to look professional, people need to know when to leave their slang behind and when to use proper grammar.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of the term AAE before and I feel that is another form of communication. In my opinion I feel that AAE or Ebonics or what-so-ever one wants to call it is its own language. It is a vital part of the African American culture. It is a way that African American communicate, now I do feel that when in a professinal setting an African American should know how to use correct English just like someone of another culture should know how to speak English. But in the company of ones own family and friends "speak da way dat best fits you"
ReplyDeleteAAE or slang as many Americans would call it, is ruining our language. I ahte this because in the future it will wrecks our understanding and usefullness of our language. I believe that most people are just being lazy and dont want to use proper english. I dont agree wiht this so called new language that is spreading very fact and is effecting our everyday lives.
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ReplyDeleteI have heard the term AAE before, and while I partake in it's usage on a daily basis, I am still well-schooled in the usage of Standard English. I think the author does a good job of showing why this should be recognized as a language. I whole-heartedly disagree with some of my classmates that feel as if AAE is ruining our language. I view it as irresponsible and ignorant to not view AAE as a language. If this is the way that such a large number of people communicate, how could it not be a language? Some of my classmates spoke as if AAE's existence is detrimental to Standard English but I couldn't disagree more. I think they are wrong in that they feel Standard English is the official language of our country, so others shouldn't be recognized and are ruining Standard English. In rebuttal to that, I pose the question; how can one language alter another negatively? They both should be viewed as separate entities altogether. Also, the manipulation of Standard English is something that has been happening for a long time and not just by African Americans, the difference is that the African American manipulation has become so widespread that it can stand alone as its own language.
ReplyDelete~Justin Jones~
I have never before heard of AAE prior to reading this article and blog summary. I do understand what the article is referring to however. Personally I feel as though AAE is a type of slang language that is not beneficial. In the workplace or education, people should communicate using proper standard English. I understand where the author says that this language originated from slaves who were unable to go to school. This is perfectly understandable. Now, however, when people have the opportunity to go to school and are clearly not forced into slave labor as they were before, there is no reason that proper Standard English not be spoken and written.
ReplyDeleteI never recongnized AAE as a language. I dont believe that most African Americans speak in that language. I think people from different locations and backgrounds speak with different accents, regardless of race. AAE is not correct English.
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