Compare & Contrast between Standard English vs. Afro American Vernacular English

 The term “Standard English” described a form of the English language that was universal or common in the nineteenth century. By the 1930s, however, it had become associated with social class and was seen by many as the language of the educated.  The English spoken by African-Americans in the U.S. differs systematically from “Standard English”. Known as “Black English” a term which replaces the earlier “Non-Standard Negro English” or as “Black English Vernacular” it has a consistent syntax. Common prejudice has its that Black English is necessarily inferior to white, but this view has no linguistic validity.

Definition:- Standard English is a controversial term for a form of English language that is written and spoken by educated people.

Standard English :-  Standard English is a regular, systematic language that contrast with other dialect in term of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.  Standard English is a dialect, one variety of English among many.  It includes the many types of nonmainstream grammar structures.  Standard English share many cognates, forms similar in phonology and function.  It has a systematic, coherent, rule-bound grammar.  Social contexts require Standard English.

Standard English :-  Standard English is spoken with an accent as Received Pronunciation.  It is spoken with same accent in pronunciation.  Its differences are often masked by false cognate’s forms similar in phonology but different in function.  It has specific parameter and grammatical rules that allow it to communicate idea like other dialect of English.  It is a marked of communication all around the world.  It follows standard phonology and syntax pattern.  It shares social domains.  Individual speakers are fluent in standard form.  It is a widely understood variety of English.

Linking Verb absence  In standard English linking verb is require, e.g. she’s smart.  but AAVE they usually omit linking verb. e.g. she smart.

Habitual Of “Be”  Perhaps the most stereotypical feature of AAVE is habitual of “Be” e.g. They be working late night. On this feature AAVE is different from standard English.

Third person-s deletion  Another feature of AAVE is the deletion of third person –s e.g. she work hard. Which is require in SE. e.g. she works hard.

Double negative  Double negation is also there but not in standard English. e.g. Aren't nobody can defeat me.

“ly” absent  In SE “ly” is require e.g. they hit me badly. But in AAVE “ly” is absent. e.g. they hit me bad.

Pronunciation features  AAVE drops /r/, /g/, and /l/ sound e.g./r/ they pounced Car as “Ka” going as “goin” ball as “ba” In standard English all these sounds are important.

/Th/ sound replace with /d/ sound e.g. In word /This/ th sound is replace with “dis”

 Kerswill, Paul Standard and non- standard English.Standard and non- standard English  Williams, Ann Non-standard English in education. In D. Britain (ed.) Language in the British Isles (2 nd edition).  Deterding, David Singapore English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University.  Trudgill, Peter Standard English: What it isn’t. In Tony Bex & Richard J.wattsends.Standard English: What it isn’t.