4 ms·

As someone who grew up in the rural South, most of the distinguishing characteristics of AAVE listed on Wiki are present in my speech when I'm speaking to peopl

As someone who grew up in the rural South, most of the distinguishing characteristics of AAVE listed on Wiki are present in my speech when I'm speaking to people who live where I grew up (Arkansas). It's mostly unconscious. If I'm in Memphis, TN and someone on the street asks for me change, I'd probably respond "I ain't got none." If I were in Richmond, VA and someone asks me for change, I'd probably respond "I don't have any." I learned "proper" English quickly because the dialect spoken in my home wasn't far removed from it, and a result I had a much easier time with grammar than my peers. I also have far less trouble communicating with a broader audience online.

GFK_of_xmaspast 10y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code-switching https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code-switching
nickpsecurity 10y ago
Same here. I was born in Memphis, TN then spent lots of time in Northern Mississippi, rural Tennessee, and Memphis. Mostly black schools for more than half my education. Had to speak like them a bit to blend in and attract attention but not too much to avoid offending them. Same with country or proper English types although they weren't offended so long as I was consistent. I appreciate GFX's link as I didn't know there was a term and field of study for it. A coworker saw it not long ago. We were talking about a party or something I was at. He's white guy that loves movies, D&D, and so on. We walk past two, black coworkers cutting up. I keep talking with stories about the party. He stops to ask me, "Did you just start talking really black because you walked past a black person?" Black schools teach people to recover quickly and dismiss when hit with something like that. I recall basically doing just that then focusing the guy back to the party while talking whiter haha. Later, I thought about it. I knew I consciously did that sort of thing when I was around different people. I know my language is even a blend. Still, looking back, I did in fact change how I was wording things, increased gestures, and went for more energetic presentation the second my peripherals spotted blacks who I normally acted that way toward. Just switched in mid conversation without me even realizing it. I'm thinking some confused looks in conversations with rednecks could've had something to do with that. I'm a little more self-conscious of it now. Try to stick with one style or the blend I use that works well enough in diverse crowds. Except Standard English speakers and academics. I can't speak 30 seconds around them before an interruption unless they're unusually understanding or non-judgmental.

GFK_of_xmaspast 10y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code-switching https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code-switching

nickpsecurity 10y ago

Same here. I was born in Memphis, TN then spent lots of time in Northern Mississippi, rural Tennessee, and Memphis. Mostly black schools for more than half my education. Had to speak like them a bit to blend in and attract attention but not too much to avoid offending them. Same with country or proper English types although they weren't offended so long as I was consistent. I appreciate GFX's link as I didn't know there was a term and field of study for it. A coworker saw it not long ago. We were talking about a party or something I was at. He's white guy that loves movies, D&D, and so on. We walk past two, black coworkers cutting up. I keep talking with stories about the party. He stops to ask me, "Did you just start talking really black because you walked past a black person?" Black schools teach people to recover quickly and dismiss when hit with something like that. I recall basically doing just that then focusing the guy back to the party while talking whiter haha. Later, I thought about it. I knew I consciously did that sort of thing when I was around different people. I know my language is even a blend. Still, looking back, I did in fact change how I was wording things, increased gestures, and went for more energetic presentation the second my peripherals spotted blacks who I normally acted that way toward. Just switched in mid conversation without me even realizing it. I'm thinking some confused looks in conversations with rednecks could've had something to do with that. I'm a little more self-conscious of it now. Try to stick with one style or the blend I use that works well enough in diverse crowds. Except Standard English speakers and academics. I can't speak 30 seconds around them before an interruption unless they're unusually understanding or non-judgmental.