african american vernacular english

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African American Vernacular English (AAVE)

Definition:
African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a nonstandard form of American English that is often spoken by African Americans in the United States. It has its own unique grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Usage Instructions:

• AAVE is used in informal settings, often among friends or family within the African American community.
• It can also be found in music, literature, and social media.

Example:

• Standard English: "I am going to the store."
• AAVE: "I’m finna go to the store." (Here, "finna" means "going to" or "about to.")

Advanced Usage:

• AAVE has its own rules for tense and aspect. For example, AAVE speakers might say "He be working" to indicate that someone regularly works, while standard English would say "He works."

Word Variants:

• AAVE is sometimes referred to as "Black English," "Black Vernacular," or "Ebonics."

Different Meanings:

• AAVE primarily refers to the dialect but can also symbolize cultural identity and heritage for many African Americans.

Synonyms:

• Black English
• Vernacular English
• Ebonics (though "Ebonics" is a more controversial term and not always preferred)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Keep it real": A phrase used to mean being honest or true to oneself.
• "Play the dozens": A game of exchanging jokes or insults, often used in a playful way among friends.

Conclusion:

Understanding AAVE enriches your knowledge of American English and its diverse forms.

Academic

Noun

1. a nonstandard form of American English characteristically spoken by African Americans in the United States

Synonyms

• African American Vernacular English
• AAVE
• African American English
• Black English
• Black English Vernacular
• Black Vernacular
• Black Vernacular English
• Ebonics