What is AAE and Who Speaks It?
Total time for this activity: 20 minutes
During this activity, you can work alone or with a partner. Read this short article by the University of Oregon entitled What is AAL and who speaks it? The article explains why the University of Oregon uses the term “African American Language” to refer to what this short course calls “African-American English.” Of the labels used to identify this variety of English that you have read about in Green (2002), learned about during our discussion, and read about in this short article, which do you prefer and why?
Reflection activity: After today’s session has concluded, reflect on today’s discussion, readings, and activities. Do you think labels really matter? In the end, does it matter whether we call the language variety “African American Language,” “African-American English,” or something else? Why or why not?