African American Vernacular English

noun

Etymology

Formed by compounding the adjective African American + the adjective vernacular + the noun English, originally with reference to an everyday or informal variety of the language associated with African American speakers. See ODAAE African American, OED vernacular, adj. 2c, OED English, n. II. Compare OED African American Vernacular English, n. at African American, n. and adj.

Meaning & use

Also AAVE, African-American Vernacular English, Afro-American Vernacular English

  1. technical language
    1906–Any of the various systematic and rule-governed varieties of English used chiefly by African Americans across social and regional strata. Although often associated with inner-city language of major metropolitan areas, there is significant overlap with other varieties of American English in the southeastern states. Often associated with or characterized by use in informal contexts (although this is not necessarily always the case).

    encyclopedic African American Vernacular English is often believed to be a divergence within colonial American English by enslaved Black people, a pidginized or creolized variety that emerged from language contact between enslaved Africans and other groups, or a combination of these processes, and possibly others, over time.

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    1906
    We explore two unresolved methodological issues in the study of copula variation in African-American Vernacular English, assessing their quantitative and theoretical consequences.
    English Historical Review 21 405
    1918
    America be lying. Although language purists will argue that the previous sentence is grammatically incorrect, it shows why African American Vernacular English (AAVE), is sometimes more accurate than Caucasian American Vernacular English (CAVE).
    T. Manson Humours of Peat Commission I. 59
    1923
    readin about black vernacular english (AAVE). im intrigued by dialects.
    Chambers's Journal December 791/2
    1935
    sumn hilarious I notice when I point out AAVE is ppl get upset everytime I or some1 else notes that its the origin but you dont see that same virtrol when ppl speak other languages/dialects correct someone about their origin its a strange sense of entitlement
    Z. N. Hurston Mules and Men 1970 i. viii. 174
    1978
    How do you feel about AAVE? Afro-American Vernacular English. Like, the fact that it has a name and theory behind it and researchers etc.
    C. Jones Study of Liturgy i. 18 in J. D. Crichton
    1996
    Similarly, in Oakland, which has a greater percentage of Blacks than Hispanics or Whites, Baugh confirmed more appointments using African American Vernacular English.
    Independent 25 June 1/6
    1998
    Ignore the mistaken attack on African American Vernacular English. Knowing what we now know about "acting white," we should read this complaint in a different light.
    J. Cope Modern Antiquarian 258

See also