Abstract
The use of African American English (AAE) is an integral component of African American history and culture. The phonemes and linguistic characteristics of AAE are a symbol of Black identity and are unique to several distinct groups of Africans (Rickford & Rickford, 2000). AAE consists of a linguistic structure with its own phonological, morphological, and syntactical components that establish it as a dialect of Standard English. In communities like Rancho Cordova, California, the use of AAE is common due to a predominately African American population. The dominant culture’s language influences other racial groups, including Whites to adopt that language and culture. The adoption of African American culture and language by other racial groups, specifically Whites, has a negative impact on the traditions and history of the Black culture. The link to the history and heritage is often not understood by Whites and sparks anger among many African Americans. Many Whites who grow up in urban communities adopt the language and culture of the African American community but struggle to gain social acceptance by both White and African American communities (Cutler, 1999). Whites who have grown up in predominately urban neighborhoods and adopt different racial and cultural customs are considered culturally inferior (Morris, 2006). This study utilized the ethnographic approach to analyze the linguistic abilities and perceptions of a White African American English speaker. Two structured interviews of approximately 55 minutes in length each were conducted to answer the following research questions: (a) What are the common phonological and morphological features used by White speakers of African American English? and (b) What are the perceptions of Whites on racial stereotypes and adoption of African American English and culture and their impact on race, culture, and language? Limited research is available (Bucholtz, 2011; Morris, 2006) documenting the perceptions of Blacks who live amongst other Whites who have adopted their language and culture. This study acknowledges that the faces of AAE speakers in urban communities are changing and the need to assimilate and survive in poor urban communities will prompt alternate racial groups to authentically adopt African American English and culture (Kitwana, 2005).