African-American Vocular Analysis
When the term "vernacular" comes to mind, the immediate synonym associated with it, is "language". Furthermore, this language is comprised of dialect as well as slang. In regards to the African-American vernacular, there is more to it than strictly linguistics. For African-American literature, it is not merely about the words, but is instead about the moods and motives that drive them.
For starters, in the category of mood, African-American literature is rich. The voices of its authors are not only unique, but overflowing with emotion. Specifically, "what distinguishes this body of work is its in-group and, at times, secretive, defensive, and aggressive character" (3). This aggressive ambiance is especially evident in the forms of hip hop and songs of social change within the vernacular. Although not complaisant in their nature, any distress evident in those genres is equitably juxtaposed against the jovial disposition found in other forms of the vernacular. For instance, secular rhymes are characterized by their jocular tone and creation of "black laughter" (20). Additionally, in the spirituals category, there is also an exorbitant …show more content…
It is comprehending the moods and motives that accompany the words within a spiritual or lyrics in a gospel. Analyzing the African-American vernacular is understanding that it is the secular work songs that helped slaves survive the brutal days on the plantation. It is the sermons and speeches delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and others, that made the lengthy and bus-less commute to work feel worth it. It is the angry, and sometimes vulgar, lyrics in the modern-day hip hop song that drives a crowd of a million millennials to post “#BlackLivesMatter” on social media. Defining the black vernacular, is precisely, understanding not only where African-Americans are coming from, but also where they are
For starters, in the category of mood, African-American literature is rich. The voices of its authors are not only unique, but overflowing with emotion. Specifically, "what distinguishes this body of work is its in-group and, at times, secretive, defensive, and aggressive character" (3). This aggressive ambiance is especially evident in the forms of hip hop and songs of social change within the vernacular. Although not complaisant in their nature, any distress evident in those genres is equitably juxtaposed against the jovial disposition found in other forms of the vernacular. For instance, secular rhymes are characterized by their jocular tone and creation of "black laughter" (20). Additionally, in the spirituals category, there is also an exorbitant …show more content…
It is comprehending the moods and motives that accompany the words within a spiritual or lyrics in a gospel. Analyzing the African-American vernacular is understanding that it is the secular work songs that helped slaves survive the brutal days on the plantation. It is the sermons and speeches delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and others, that made the lengthy and bus-less commute to work feel worth it. It is the angry, and sometimes vulgar, lyrics in the modern-day hip hop song that drives a crowd of a million millennials to post “#BlackLivesMatter” on social media. Defining the black vernacular, is precisely, understanding not only where African-Americans are coming from, but also where they are