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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Origins, Development, and the Socio-historical Background of AAE
- Features of AAE
- Phonological Features of AAE
- The "th"
- Consonant Cluster Reduction and Simplification
- The non-rhotic "r"
- Grammatical Features of AAE
- Negation
- Time Reference
- Morphological Features of AAE
- The Verbal -s
- Past Morphology
- Genitive Marking and Absence of Attributive Possessive –s
- Copula Absence
- Phonological Features of AAE
- Exemplary Analysis
- Phonological Features
- Grammatical Features
- Morphological Features
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper investigates the characteristics and features of African American English (AAE) with a focus on its use in rap music. The main objectives are to examine the phonological, morphological, and grammatical attributes of AAE, analyzing the lyrical presentations of AAE in rap music and to determine whether these features occur in a consistent and stable pattern or are more elective and non-obligatory. Key themes explored in the paper include: * The development and socio-historical background of AAE. * The phonological, grammatical, and morphological features of AAE. * The use of AAE in rap music lyrics. * The evolving nature and significance of AAE in contemporary society.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of AAE, its various names and definitions, and the historical context surrounding its development and study. The chapter emphasizes the need for detailed analysis of the structural patterns and features of AAE, setting the stage for the investigation. Chapter 2 explores the origins and development of AAE, discussing various theories and perspectives on its linguistic roots. It examines the influence of contact between African slaves and their European masters, outlining the historical and social conditions that shaped the evolution of AAE. Chapter 3 delves into the key features of AAE, focusing on its phonological, grammatical, and morphological characteristics. The chapter presents examples of specific features, highlighting their variations in usage and their significance in understanding the nuances of AAE. Chapter 4 offers an exemplary analysis of three rap songs, illustrating the application of the previously discussed phonological, grammatical, and morphological features of AAE. The chapter examines the use of AAE in rap lyrics, analyzing its impact on the style and delivery of the music.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
African American English, AAE, Ebonics, Black Vernacular English, BVE, African American Vernacular English, AAVE, phonology, morphology, grammar, rap music, lyrics, socio-historical background, language variation, linguistic features.- Quote paper
- Janine Lacombe (Author), 2012, Features of African American English in the Context of Language Varieties, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/267180
