Black Vernacular English Puns

I've never been to the states but due to prolonged exposure to US media since I was a kid, like everybody else, I noticed that black Americans have their own way of speaking English.

It seems that a lot of young non black Americans also imitate that way of speaking, no surprise because it is cool BUT to me it seems weird and out of place if you're not black, it's just doesn't work.

Recently I saw this screenshot and it was posted as being "cringe" because of the way Jake Paul writes, sort of confirming my own feeling that it's weird to use AAVE as a non black.

So the question is: In the US, is it indeed weird to see someone who is not black use AAVE, or is it just normal?

Here's his Instagram post, plus a backup screenshot.

He also made a second post referencing the news articles that were written about his initial response, where he wrote: "remember earlier when I told ya if I say something they don't like, they'll write about it immediately?"

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I have had several instances where I (a white person) have been told off and even dragged through the proverbial dirt for using words that others claim fit into the category of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). I have had people tell me this is wrong and that as a white person I am not allowed to use any AAVE words. People say that it's not fair to black people and that it can even be harmful. I have a few examples of times I have been confronted by both black and white people over this.

As some examples, people have said that using the word 'chill' is not okay if you are not black, they will indicate that because this word has its origins in AAVE, non-black people shouldn't be using this word at all. I have also had these same scenarios for phrases such as "as fuck" (AF) "Straight Up", "I feel you" (or just 'feels'), "let's get this W" (as in winning a game) or "that's gonna be an L" (as in losing a game). I have also even been told and see others be told that non-black People shouldn't be saying words like 'bro' or 'sis'. Sometimes they will even say that non-black People can't use certain acronyms like "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) or "RIP" (Rest In Peace). Other examples I have been told off because of using, or seen happen to others are words like "salty", "blessed/cursed", "go off", "iconic", and "thanks, I hate it"

Now, I do respect and understand that it is not appropriate for white people to speak in Ebonics or use certain slag words, or ways of speaking, especially considering they are viewed as trashy and "uncultured" when black people use them, but cool and hip when white people do. But it feels there should be a point where it is acceptable and not problematic by any means.

It just seems a difficult concept to grasp as to why it would be harmful, offensive, or insensitive for a white person to use words like 'chill', or 'bro'. I am just trying to understand why it's something to be concerned about, at what point does it cross that line, at what point does it actually become a problem? I have so many words in my vocabulary that likely have roots in AAVE but would that also not be natural to happen after generations of our cuotures living together? Are white people really never to use any AAVE words? What words and phrases actually fit into this category? what How far does it go before it crosses the line of casual conversation to problematic and offensive usage of these words or phrases? When does it truly become an issue?

 What is everyone’s opinion on a predominantly Caucasian choir singing a “negro-spiritual”. Is it disrespectful to take out the vernacular wording that is in the song, or is it more disrespectful to sing vernacular English as a Caucasian group. 

 I don’t want to disrespect any African American history, or any composer at all, and am just getting a gauge on what everyone has done in a situation like this.

Thanks!

I think it's interesting, because I don't hear it often, except in the context of news.

Ones that translate into Standard English, that is.

It bothers me a lot. Things like “Guuuuurl,” “Okaaaay, sis!,” or “It’s the _______ for me!”

There’s obvious exceptions to made in the South where Black culture and White Southern culture intermingle, so I understand that. But I’ve seen a lot of gay white men who exist outside of that region play into this semi-racist caricature of Black women and no one seems to care. It’s almost become a default “gay” voice, replacing the “Valley Girl” voice of 20ish years ago. It’s just really fucking cringe. Does anyone know where this trend emerged? Is this just the result of an increasingly online world, one where people from diverse demographics can create niche communities, spawning fans from equally diverse demographics who will imitate and emulate (I’m thinking the Barbs as a prime example)? I’d like to know peoples thoughts! Am I being a snowflake-Boomer f-slur or does this bother anyone else?

Seeking discussion and/or resources on the matter because I can’t find anything on its usage in non-black communities.

So, in particular, I am curious about the history of its usage among non-blacks. Did it start with whites and blackface performances? Can its usage by non-blacks in America today be separated from that history? Even if separated from that history, is it still problematic? Should non-blacks avoid using it in the same way they should avoid saying the n word or using blackface?

In particular, want to read about any varieties of AAVE or its general origins - but would love to be recommended any good readings even if they fall outside those two topics

I'm an agnostic who has never read the bible but is interested in doing so. I have tried in the past but struggle to get past the very old school grammar and ways of speaking (similar to people struggling to read or enjoy Shakespeare).

Is there a re-written version? Basically, I would love to read a few hundred pages of a modern author retelling the story. Any options?

Hi ladies! I'm a 1/4th African American and 3/4 European lady and I'm writing a paper on the AAVE on Orange is the New Black for university (writing papers on good shows is always a goal of mine ;) ) I'm looking at the dialogue of all the black characters in certain episodes and looking for any features of AAVE - double negation, usage of ain't, the stressed BEEN and the like. It's a scientific, linguistic study so completely judgement-free ;) Now I just wanted to ask if any of you watch the show and have noted something interesting - do you indentify with the language the black women speak or not? Why (not)? How do you think OITNB portrays AAVE compared to other current TV shows? Do you have any articles that you could recommend me? Anyways, I wish a nice day :)

My professor gave an interesting lecture on some of the structural differences between Black English and Standard English and I found it very interesting. Anyone know of any books that expand on the topic of Black English?

I’ve seen a lot of people, primarily from the African American community, voice the position that non-African descended (especially white) people ought not to speak and use AAVE — the dialect of English developed chiefly among black Americans since their disgustingly, wrongfully forced egress from their various homelands to what is now the United States — because it is "cultural appropriation" and therefore morally wrong for them to do so. Some even go so far as to propose that in polite society, they ought not to be allowed to do so.

I find this proposition asinine and extremely infuriating, so I’ve composed a brief rebuttal:

Anyone can speak any dialect of any language, and the very same goes for AAVE. When speakers of two massive dialects of the same language that developed separately due to decades of cultural separation between the groups who speak and developed them begin to have constant contact; and that cultural separation begins to erode (as it absolutely should between black and non-black Americans — we never should have been separate in the first place and especially not post-abolition as we are equals), it is only natural that there is going to be massive cross-dialectal influence in what remains of those two dialects as the cultural wall between these peoples erodes and their shared language continues to develop. That’s how language evolves, and that’s a continuous process — languages never stop evolving. The gatekeeping of who can and can’t speak AAVE and/or use loan words and expressions from it is unnecessarily and unwarrantedly exclusive, discriminatory, and — because it is based upon race — FUCKING RACIST.

TL;DR: All dialects of all languages are okay for everyone all the time, and race-based gatekeeping is racist. Fuck racist gatekeepers.

I rewatched Citizen Kane (1941) and then Mank (2020) recently. That period of time seems to have a construction of English we do not speak anymore.
Lines such as 'If I Could Swim, I'd Be Doing Swimmingly' and 'Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.'

I've saw a clip about AAVE on the local news this morning. I'm personally conflicted between being uncomfortable and appreciative. Probably because of it's negative perception and inaccurate assumption of intelligence. We don't reduce other regional dialects based on intelligence or even assign them by race. I hear northeasterners pluralize the word "all" and never thought "dumb and poor". I also want to embrace elements of my culture without feeling type-casted by society. Acknowledging that it is a created language rather than a broken, poorly-educated comprehension of English has me feeling a little more optimistic now.

I wonder what your thoughts are.

AAVE