What People Get Wrong About African-American English

The video explores African American English (AAE), its historical roots, linguistic features, and social implications. AAE is a distinct dialect with its own grammar and phonology, shaped by historical events like slavery and the Great Migration. Despite misconceptions, AAE is not inferior to mainstream American English. The video discusses code-switching and the social challenges faced by AAE speakers, highlighting the dialect's cultural significance and influence on American culture.

Which of the following terms is NOT associated with African American English?

• Spilling tea

• Finesse

• Receipts

• Mainstream

What significant event in 1619 marked the beginning of African American English?

• The Great Migration

• The signing of the Declaration of Independence

• The arrival of the English privateership White Lion

• The end of the Civil War

Which theory suggests that AAE developed from the English dialect spoken by white rural Southerners?

• Southern dialect theory

• African grammar theory

• Creole theory

• Pidgin theory

What is a common misconception about African American English?

• It has phonological features

• It has its own grammatical rules

• It is a deficient form of English

• It is a sociolect

Which of the following is an example of a phonological feature in AAE?

• Zero copula

• Double negatives

• Possessive S absence

• TH stopping

What does the term 'code-switching' refer to?

• Changing languages in a sentence

• Using slang in formal settings

• Adopting a new language

• Switching between dialects or languages based on context

Why might AAE speakers face challenges when code-switching?

• It is a new phenomenon

• It is grammatically incorrect

• It is not socially accepted

• It requires extra mental effort

How is AAE often perceived by non-black speakers?

• As a formal language

• As an inferior version of English

• As a prestigious dialect

• As a regional dialect

What role does AAE play in American pop culture?

• It is rarely used

• It shapes cultural practices and language

• It is only used in music

• It is considered outdated

What is a significant challenge faced by AAE speakers in society?

• Inability to code-switch

• Limited cultural impact

• Lack of vocabulary

• Linguistic prejudice