African American English in general is used to describe a wide range of language varieties spoken mostly by the black population in the United States. During the past decades however multiple names and definitions have been established including Black English (BE), Ebonics, Black Vernacular English (BVE), and African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The term “Negro Non-standard English” used until the late 1960s has been abolished by now due to the fact that it insinuates the presence of a superior “White Standard English”
In the preface of her book African American English: A Linguistic Introduction Lisa GREEN points out that there has been a substantial amount of linguistic research on AAE, oftentimes however neglecting a closer look at the structural patterns and features. This is where the focus of the paper presented shall be on. After some developmental and socio-historical background information concerning AAE, phonological, morphological, and grammatical attributes will be examined and subsequently illustrated by an exemplary analysis of three different rap songs. The focal point here lies in the lyrical/ textual presentation of AAE in rap music and not in the actual vocal performance.
The aim of this paper and the entailed analyses is to ascertain whether AAE consequently aims for persistent, stable patterns on some or even all linguistic levels or if certain features occur in a more elective, non-obligatory way. The rap songs chosen for the analyses offer a creditable alternative to hard to find authentic text material and display sufficient characteristic of AAE. A complete version of each rap text is attached in the appendix of this work. The textual extend of this paper is substantiated in the amount of examples given to illustrate features of AAE.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Origins, Development, and the Socio-historical Background of AAE
3. Features of AAE
3.1 Phonological Features of AAE
3.1.1 The “th”
3.1.2 Consonant Cluster Reduction and Simplification
3.1.3 The non-rhotic “r”
3.2 Grammatical Features of AAE
3.2.1 Negation
3.2.2 Time Reference
3.3 Morphological Features of AAE
3.3.1 The Verbal -s
3.3.2 Past Morphology
3.3.3 Genitive Marking and Absence of Attributive Possessive –s
3.3.4 Copula Absence
4. Exemplary Analysis
4.1 Phonological Features
4.2 Grammatical Features
4.3 Morphological Features
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary aim of this paper is to investigate the structural patterns of African American English (AAE) and to ascertain whether the language variety displays persistent, stable linguistic features or if its attributes are non-obligatory. By examining phonological, morphological, and grammatical characteristics, the research explores how AAE manifests in contemporary rap music lyrics as an alternative to scarce authentic text material.
- The linguistic origins and socio-historical development of AAE.
- Core phonological, morphological, and grammatical features defining AAE.
- The role of rap music as a vehicle for the textual presentation of AAE.
- A comparative analysis of linguistic features found in diverse rap song lyrics.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 The “th”
According to MUFWENE, the “variable absence of interdental fricatives” can be considered “one of the most common stereotypes of African American English” (Mufwene 2001: 295). In word-initial position such as in think or them, interdental fricatives are often replaced by a t- or d-sound like tink and dem. The two distinct realizations of the word-initial positioned th in AAE can be explained when looking at the transcription of the words think and them: [ðəəm] and [θɪŋk]. It becomes obvious that the voiceless th (ð) is here realized or replaced by the voiceless t-sound, while the voiced th (θ) is substituted by the voiced d-sound (cf. Green 118 et seq.). In intervocalic and word-final position the th is sometimes substituted by the labiodentals fricatives f and v, turning mouth and weather into mouf and weaver (cf. Mufwene 2001: 295). Again, there is a differentiation between the voiced th being replaced by the voiced v and the voiceless th being substituted by the voiceless f. GREEN concludes in her generalization that the voiced sounds d and v occur in the same environment as the voiced th-sound occurs in Standard American English (cf. Green 118 et seq.).
Although striking, this phonological feature is not an exclusive characteristic of AAE. It can also be found in other non-standard forms of English like in New York working class vernacular, which does not automatically reflect a connection between New York City varieties and AAE (cf. Bailey/ Thomas 87).
Therefore, the absence of interdental fricatives alone cannot be valued as a reliable indicator for AAE in use.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the study, provides an overview of historical terminology for AAE, and outlines the research methodology focusing on lyric analysis.
2. Origins, Development, and the Socio-historical Background of AAE: This section details the conflicting theories regarding the emergence of AAE, including the Anglicist, Creolist, and Neo-Anglicist positions.
3. Features of AAE: This chapter categorizes and explains the primary phonological, grammatical, and morphological attributes that distinguish AAE from other English varieties.
4. Exemplary Analysis: This section applies the previously established linguistic framework to the lyrics of three distinct rap songs to illustrate the presence and frequency of AAE features.
5. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, noting that while AAE features are identifiable, they often mix with standard forms and function in non-obligatory ways.
Keywords
African American English, AAE, AAVE, linguistic features, phonology, morphology, syntax, rap music, sociolinguistics, creolist theory, consonant cluster reduction, negation, copula absence, language variety, linguistic divergence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The paper examines the structural patterns and linguistic features of African American English (AAE), specifically analyzing how they appear in rap music lyrics.
Which linguistic levels of AAE are analyzed?
The study provides an in-depth look at phonological, grammatical, and morphological attributes of the language variety.
What is the core research question?
The research seeks to determine whether AAE maintains persistent, stable linguistic patterns or if its features are used in a more elective, non-obligatory manner.
What methodology is employed for the analysis?
The author uses an exemplary analysis of lyrics from three different rap songs, performed by artists of different genders and ethnicities, to identify AAE characteristics.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the historical development of AAE, detailed definitions of its linguistic features, and a practical application of these definitions to modern music lyrics.
Which terms are considered essential to describe this work?
Key concepts include AAE, sociolinguistics, phonological reduction, copula absence, negative concord, and morphological inflection.
How does the author explain the development of AAE?
The author presents various stages of development, including the initial colonization period, the plantation era, and the era of the Great Migration.
What role does rap music play in the research?
Rap music is utilized as a source of authentic text material, demonstrating how AAE features are represented in current pop culture and communication.
Are the features of AAE strictly mandatory?
No, the research concludes that many attributes considered typical for AAE are non-obligatory and often coexist with standard English forms.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Janine Lacombe (Autor:in), 2012, Features of African American English in the Context of Language Varieties, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/267180
