Definition

Noun: A distinctive variety or dialect of American English, historically and primarily spoken by many African Americans in the United States. It is a systematic and rule-governed language variety with its own unique grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation patterns, often existing alongside Standard American English.

Usage and Examples

Noun: * Linguists study the grammatical structures of African American Vernacular English. * The author's use of African American Vernacular English adds authenticity to the characters' dialogue. * Understanding African American Vernacular English is important for educators to better support students.

Advanced Usage and Context

• Linguistic Recognition: In academic contexts, African American Vernacular English is recognized as a complete and coherent linguistic system, not simply "slang" or "broken" English.
• Cultural Identity: The use of African American Vernacular English is often tied to cultural and social identity within African American communities.
• Code-Switching: Many speakers fluidly alternate between African American Vernacular English and more formal registers of English depending on the social context.

Variants and Related Words

• AAVE: A common initialism for African American Vernacular English.
• Black English (Vernacular): A synonymous term, often abbreviated as BEV. (Note: Some consider this term less precise).
• Ebonics: A term that emerged in the 1970s, often used synonymously but which can have a broader meaning encompassing the linguistic legacy of the African diaspora.

Synonyms

• Black English Vernacular (BEV)
• African American Language (AAL)

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Dialect: A particular form of a language specific to a region or social group.
• Sociolect: A language variety associated with a particular social group.
• Code-Switching: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or language varieties in conversation.

Noun

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