Language is always evolving—it reflects the culture, history, and identity of the people who use it.
One form of language variation that often pops up in everyday conversations, especially on social media, is African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
But what exactly is AAVE? Is it just slang, or is there a deeper history behind it?
Let’s dive in and explore AAVE together!
What is AAVE?
African American Vernacular English, or AAVE for short, is a dialect of English that developed in African American communities across the United States.
This dialect has its own grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, making it a unique and systematic linguistic system.
AAVE is often misunderstood as just slang or "broken" English, but linguistic research has proven that it follows consistent and structured grammar rules.
For example, AAVE has distinct verb patterns, such as omitting the verb "to be" in certain contexts, like saying "He going" instead of "He is going." But this isn't random; it follows specific grammatical rules.
AAVE also has a rich and evolving vocabulary that originated in Black communities. Over time, it has expanded beyond daily conversation, influencing music, movies, and—most notably—social media.
Origins of AAVE
AAVE has deep historical roots, dating back to the time of slavery in the United States.
It originated from the many enslaved Africans who were brought to America and forced to communicate in English, despite speaking a variety of native languages.
Through this assimilation process, a Creole language emerged—blending African languages with English.
Over time, the African American community developed its own variety of English, which eventually became the foundation of AAVE.
In the 20th century, AAVE continued to evolve, especially in urban centers like Harlem, New York, and Chicago.
More than just a way to communicate, AAVE became a symbol of identity and solidarity within the African American community.
Unfortunately, due to systemic racism, AAVE is often dismissed as “bad English,” and its speakers frequently face discrimination in education and the workplace.
However, linguists have confirmed that AAVE is a fully legitimate dialect with its own consistent structure. Today, its recognition as a valid form of English continues to grow in both academic and social discussions.
Examples of AAVE
AAVE is not the same as slang! Slang refers to words that are super informal and sometimes even rude.
On the other hand, AAVE isn’t just about words—it also has its own grammar and pronunciation rules that shape a unique way of speaking English.
In fact, many slang words used in Standard English today actually originated from AAVE, such as: bae, sus, and shook.
Want to see more examples of AAVE? Let’s dive in!
1. Using Double Negative
AAVE often uses a double negative (two negative words in one sentence) to emphasize a negative statement. For example:
- “I ain't got no money."
- “She don't know nothing about it."
2. Omitted “be”
In some sentence constructions, AAVE omits linking verbs such as “is”, ‘are’, or “am”.
This is common when the verb “be” serves as a link between the subject and the complement (the word or phrase that completes the subject). Here's the example:
- "He a doctor." (It should be: “He is a doctor.”)
- “They students." (It should be: “They are students.”
3. Using Habitual “be”
AAVE uses the invariant form of the verb “be” to express a habitual or persistent state. Let's take a look!
- "She be working every day." (It means, he's always working.)
- "They be playing basketball after school." (It means, they usually play basketball after school.)
4. The Use of “Been”
In AAVE, the present perfect tense with the emphasis on “been” is used to indicate an action or state that has been going on for a long time, but is still relevant to the present. For example:
- "I been working here.” (It should be: “I have been working here for a while.” Emphasize the length of time working here.)
- “She been through a lot." (It should be: “She has been through a lot.” Emphasizes the amount of experience that has been passed.)
5. Third-Person Singular Absence
In AAVE, the third person singular (he/she/it) is often not followed by the auxiliary verb “does” in negative or question sentences.
This absence of “does” is characteristic of AAVE grammar. Check this out!
- "He don't know nothing." (It should be: "He doesn't know anything.")
- "She ain't going to the party." (It should be: "She isn't going to the party.")
6. Phonological Changes
AAVE has some distinctive phonological changes, such as:
- Reduction of consonant sounds at the end of words (“cold” becomes “col”).
- Replacement of the “th” sound with “t” or “d” (“this” becomes “dis”).
- Replacement of the “ng” sound with “n” at the end of a word (“walking” becomes “walkin”).
- Use of metathesis or letter position swapping (“ask” becomes “ax”).
Example sentences with the AAVE structure combined:
- “He has been through a lot, but he don't let it get him down."
- "He ain't never been to no school, but he be knowing a lot."
- “She be working hard, but she don't get no respect."
It is important to remember that AAVE sentences have their own rules that are different from standard English, and are not simply “wrong English”.
Can You Use AAVE in Daily Conversation?
AAVE is a bit different from other English dialects because it’s closely tied to the race and cultural identity of its speakers—Black Americans.
By definition, it is the vernacular English spoken by Black Americans. So, if you’re not Black, you’re technically not speaking AAVE.
AAVE is deeply rooted in African American culture and heritage—and let’s be honest, it’s undeniably cool. But if you’re not part of the Black American community, it’s best not to use AAVE, as it can be seen as cultural appropriation.
Conclusion
AAVE is more than just a way of speaking—it’s a rich and complex cultural heritage. Understanding it helps us appreciate the diversity of languages and cultures.
Want to explore more topics? Check out EZClass and the EZClass blog for more interesting articles. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends who are learning English!
