Aave

[irmamar]

My book talks about African American Vernacular English (AAVE). I've read that it's quite different from American English. They say that in the sixties education of Black English speakers (these are the words used, sorry if I'm not politically correct) became a concern, and it was thought that students had to deal with linguistic differences, which were the cause that these students got below average in school.

Is that AAVE so much different from AmE? Is any English speaker able to understand AAVE? What do you think? Is it possible to teach subjects in AAVE in some schools if the average of Black English speakers is high?

[pjt33]

Hay diferencias marcadas. Se entiende más o menos, pero los que no lo conozcan perderán información importante por las diferencias gramáticas. Lo que hay que tener en cuenta es que surgen cuestiones de prestigio: para algunos el inglés "estándar" es la variedad prestigiosa, pero para otros lo desprestigian y favorecen el AAVE.

[JPablo]

But is it as difficult as LUNFARDO for a Spaniard?

Or is it a similar thing to Cockney? (Is Cockney very hard to get to other English speakers?)

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by JPablo

Or is it a similar thing to Cockney? (Is Cockney very hard to get to other English speakers?)

I could understand Cockney, but there never seems anything worth listening to. As for AAVE, would that be akin to the words in Rap music? Incomprehensible.

[JPablo]

@Perikles, Gotcha!

[poli]

It was called ebonics in the past. In many degrees, it is very understandable and logical. Ebonics analyzed it, and attempted to standardize it. Because it was rerely written it was never standardized and it varies by region. In some AAVE the use of the verb to be is very different and quite simplified. It is sometimes left out, because the verb to be can be implied without using it. I believe a form the the subjunctive is used. Example: Charleston hot in the summer? Yes Charleston be hot in the summer.

Some people proposed to teaching ebonics in school. Irate parents put an end to that with good logic. Children should learn standard English is school to deal with the real world, while AAVE can be used among friends and family if desired

[pjt33]

What I understand (from Wikipedia and Language Log) with respect to "be" is that "Charleston hot" means that it is currently hot, and "Charleston be hot" means that it is habitually hot. As I said above: you can miss important information if you're not aware of the grammatical differences.

[irmamar]

Thanks.

Lunfardo! I didn't know what lunfardo was until I've made a search.

I'll have to look for some video to listen to both AAVE or ebonics (although I'm sure I won't understand anything) and lunfardo (which I don't know if I'll be able to understand anything).

[JPablo]

I'd bet you'll understand a bit of Lunfardo... (even if it is just a bit...)
(I have not search for any audio on it, but surely you'd be able to find something...)

[irmamar]

Yes, I've found a video with a poem in lunfardo. I've been able to understand some words (they are Spanish words), but don't ask me what the poem was about.

I've also seen a video with AAVE (thanks, poli, ebonic has been a good word for my search). ¡Ufff!, ni papa.