AAVE
- Written by an African American (Blasian) system.
This rentry will explain what AAVE is, it's roots, it's importance in daily African American's lives, who can/can't use it, etc.
It is expected that people who read this rentry have basic knowledge of USA history and what makes a black person African American.
"What is AAVE?" AAVE, also known as Ebonics (previously) is African American Vernacular English. It is a dialect of SAE, or Standard American English. It is a dialect mainly used by African Americans, and other non black people who grew up in a predominantly-black area. It holds much cultural significance, even if not widely known, in everyday African American's lives.
"Isn't that just southern slang?" No, it is not. The reason why AAVE is much more common in the southern USA instead of the north is because of immense slave trade. We all know about the Civil war, the end of slavery, etc, etc. It is tied into "southern slang", yes, but it is not just "southern slang", and calling it such feels like it is dismissive of our history.
"So, what are the roots of AAVE?" AAVE is an African American dialect that came about through slavery, and centuries of predominantly black households. AAVE was "made", per se, because the white people did not bother teaching us shit. So, to communicate, we mimicked they way they spoke, wrote, etc. Anything to get out of that situation. They saw us as inferior, dumb, etc, for trying to attempt to communicate in our own way. more on this later.
"I don't really understand, though?" To put it simply, AAVE is a byproduct of slavery in the USA and generational trauma that have been passed through black households here. The significance of this dialect plays a major role in racism, microaggressions, stereotypes, etc.
"Okay, but how is it this important?" It is important to a lot of us as lately there have been many non black people who have been mocking, overusing, not using it right, etc. Yes, AAVE is not "grammatically correct" to SAE's standards. Or, to any other english for that matter. But, that doesn't mean that it's wrong or stupid for us to use. We have been speaking this way for centuries, and it's especially weird to see the people who enslaved us centuries ago using our dialect that we made because of them.
"But that was centuries ago." Yes, we understand it was centuries ago. You are not your ancestors just like we aren't ours. That does not mean that the amount of generational trauma and racism we still go through today mean nothing. We have gone through so much, yes, even "just because of our dialect."
"I understand, how is this significant to your lives?" It is significant to our everyday lives because we have been speaking like this for centuries. We have been making 99% of this "Gen z lingo" and/or "internet slang." Yes, not all AAVE words/phrases were made centuries ago. However, you must understand this does not invalidate "Newer parts." AAVE is still AAVE.
"Are there other reasons?" Yes, there are quite a few. We have had segregated schools, seen as "not smart enough" to fit in the white people's schools because of the way we spoke. We were, and still are, considered, dumb, slow, and are stereotyped because we are seen as not gramatically correct. We are not seen as "smart" as non black people are, because they do not deal with the stereotypes like we do.
"Then who exactly can use AAVE?" In my honest opinion, and many other AA's opinions, any black person can USE it. Non black people should not be using it, as they have mocked us, overused it, and used it wrong as well, all while claiming "it's just southern slang." Yes, we understand if you grew up in a predominantly AA area using AAVE, but that doesn't make you exempt from the rule. Yes, some other AA's opinions might vary. However, even if some are fine with it, you may still be attacked for using it. If you want to save yourself the trouble, do not use it at all.
"I'm black but I'm not AA, shouldn't I be able to speak on/about AAVE if I'm able to use it?" No. You may be African, Caribbean, anything, yes you can use it, but you cannot speak on it as it is not your culture. Just like any other ethnicity shouldn't be speaking on another's, you don't speak on ours.
RESOURCES
AAVE glossary
Wikipedia
Definition
Blog
Ebonics meaning
What is AAVE?
Is it CA to use AAVE if Non black?
Origins of AAVE
Rentry made by De'Miya . Discord should be irls kys#4444 . Send me a DM if there are any questions you would like to be added and explained, or if you want something added. Do not attempt to message with hate, or to troll. I will not care. Pub 1/13/23