The Line Between Isn’t and Ain’t: Black English Usage as a Stimulus for Perception Bias and as a Link to Social Attitudes and Cultural Affiliation
Location
Access Type
Open Access
Entry Number
46
Start Date
4-7-2021 11:45 AM
End Date
4-7-2021 12:00 PM
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The weight of the stigma placed upon minority speech dialects such as African American Vernacular English and the nuanced practice of code-switching is largely ignored as an academic concern. Moreover, the legitimacy of AAVE as a valid dialect of English is often called into question. Through investigating the history of dialects like AAVE, literature on minority speech usage and discrimination, and the results of a psychological study this research sought to understand the impact of minority speech styles on the environment of speakers and the way in which it reflects their cultural attitudes. By isolating minority language use as its own variable the study hopes to shed light on issues of discrimination and bias based upon non-standard English dialects and the barriers this creates in various avenues of society. Particular attention is given to how AAVE and code-switching impact minority experiences in academic classrooms and mental health fields. Additionally, a focus on how colloquial language is interwoven into minority identity and how this language can be used to denote intersubjective understanding within a community is explored. Results of this study provide insight into an overlooked area of research and provide possible solutions to communication barriers and culturally based stigma.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Virginia Cylke
Rights Statement
The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.
The Line Between Isn’t and Ain’t: Black English Usage as a Stimulus for Perception Bias and as a Link to Social Attitudes and Cultural Affiliation
The weight of the stigma placed upon minority speech dialects such as African American Vernacular English and the nuanced practice of code-switching is largely ignored as an academic concern. Moreover, the legitimacy of AAVE as a valid dialect of English is often called into question. Through investigating the history of dialects like AAVE, literature on minority speech usage and discrimination, and the results of a psychological study this research sought to understand the impact of minority speech styles on the environment of speakers and the way in which it reflects their cultural attitudes. By isolating minority language use as its own variable the study hopes to shed light on issues of discrimination and bias based upon non-standard English dialects and the barriers this creates in various avenues of society. Particular attention is given to how AAVE and code-switching impact minority experiences in academic classrooms and mental health fields. Additionally, a focus on how colloquial language is interwoven into minority identity and how this language can be used to denote intersubjective understanding within a community is explored. Results of this study provide insight into an overlooked area of research and provide possible solutions to communication barriers and culturally based stigma.