Don't Judge My African American English

Up Next

30 Oct 201503:46

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses the complex relationship between language, identity, and societal expectations. It explores how individuals, particularly African-Americans, often code-switch—using informal, grammatically incorrect speech with friends while adopting more standardized language in professional settings to avoid negative judgments. The speaker highlights how slang and informal speech can be a form of individuality and rebellion, yet societal pressures demand conformity to 'proper' English, especially in corporate environments. This creates a tension where individuals must navigate fitting in while expressing their cultural identity.

Takeaways

😀 People often adjust their speech depending on the environment they are in, using casual language with friends and more formal language in professional settings.
🤔 Slang and informal speech are seen as forms of individuality and expression, allowing people to communicate in ways unique to their community.
😎 In certain social contexts, using slang or informal terms helps to convey a sense of camaraderie and familiarity, like saying 'what's up' instead of 'hello'.
💼 In professional or formal environments, there is pressure to speak 'proper' English to be taken seriously or respected.
😬 There is a societal expectation that speaking grammatically correct English is a sign of intelligence and education.
🧐 Using slang or informal language in corporate settings can lead to negative judgments, such as being perceived as uneducated or a 'thug'.
😥 African Americans, in particular, may feel pressure to prove they are not 'lazy' or 'uneducated' by conforming to standard English speech norms.
🙄 Even within the African American community, people may face judgment based on how they speak, depending on the environment they were raised in.
😠 There is a twofold pressure: to fit into mainstream norms while also maintaining a sense of cultural individuality.
🌍 Language is one way that outsiders assess a person's background, education, and character, which can lead to biases and stereotypes.

Q & A

What is the speaker's view on using grammatically incorrect language in informal settings?
-The speaker feels comfortable using grammatically incorrect language or slang in informal settings, like when they're with friends, because they know they will be understood and there is no pressure to speak perfectly.
How does the speaker's language change in formal or business environments?
-In formal or business environments, the speaker makes an effort to articulate themselves well, using correct grammar to ensure they are understood and to avoid negative judgments from others.
What role does slang play in the speaker's communication with friends?
-Slang is a form of self-expression and individuality for the speaker when communicating with friends. It helps them connect with their peers in a unique way, and it also serves as a form of rebellion against societal expectations.
What societal pressures does the speaker mention when it comes to language use?
-The speaker discusses societal pressures to conform to 'proper' English, especially in formal settings. They feel that not using standard English can lead to being judged as less intelligent, uneducated, or unfit for professional environments.
How does the speaker describe the link between language and perceptions of intelligence?
-The speaker notes that if someone uses slang or non-standard English, especially African American Vernacular English (AAVE), they may be perceived as less intelligent or educated, even though this is not necessarily true.
What is the speaker’s take on the need to assimilate in professional settings?
-The speaker feels that in order to succeed professionally, especially in corporate settings, people are pressured to assimilate by speaking and behaving in ways that conform to societal expectations, even if it doesn’t reflect their personal identity.
How does the speaker address the stereotypes associated with speaking slang?
-The speaker mentions that using heavy slang can lead to being stereotyped as a 'thug' or a 'gangster' and being perceived as less educated or competent, regardless of the individual's actual intelligence or abilities.
Why does the speaker believe language plays a role in how outsiders assess individuals?
-The speaker believes that language is one of the main factors outsiders use to judge a person’s character, intelligence, and social status, which can influence how individuals are perceived in different environments.
What challenge does the speaker mention for African Americans in terms of language use?
-The speaker points out that African Americans often feel the need to prove they are not 'one of the bad ones,' using language as a tool to show they are intelligent, hardworking, and capable of fitting into mainstream society.
How does the speaker feel about the judgments made within their own community regarding language use?
-The speaker feels that even within the African American community, people are often judged harshly based on their language, depending on who they grew up around and the environments they were exposed to.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Code-Switching and Language Flexibility Among Friends

This paragraph explores how people may use different language styles depending on the setting. The speaker mentions feeling comfortable using slang or non-standard grammar with friends in informal environments, knowing their friends will understand them. However, in professional or public settings like the bank or grocery store, the speaker stresses the need to articulate clearly and conform to societal expectations to avoid misunderstandings.

🤝 The Significance of Slang in Personal Identity and Rebellion

The speaker reflects on the use of slang within close social circles, explaining that slang represents a form of individuality and expression. Terms like 'what’s up son' or 'broki' reflect camaraderie and rebellion against standard language norms. This unique language helps individuals create a sense of identity and resist societal pressures to conform to 'proper' English.

📋 The Pressure to Assimilate for Success

This section discusses the balancing act between expressing individuality through language and the pressure to assimilate into the expectations of society. The speaker explains how people feel the need to adopt 'proper' speech patterns in business and professional settings to be seen as competent. Those who use non-standard English might be unfairly judged as less intelligent or uneducated.

💼 Language, Assimilation, and Corporate Perceptions

The speaker elaborates on how language use, particularly slang, affects one's image in corporate environments. Using heavy slang may lead to negative stereotypes, with people being perceived as 'thugs' or 'gangsters,' which can hurt career opportunities. The speaker emphasizes that this judgment is often rooted in the environment someone grew up in rather than their actual intelligence or abilities.

👥 Community and Internal Judgment Based on Language

The speaker touches on how judgment also exists within their own community. People may judge others harshly based on their background or the social circles they belong to, even within the same community. This internal pressure to conform or prove oneself adds another layer of complexity to the relationship between language and identity.

🔎 Proving One's Worth as an African-American

This paragraph delves into the experience of being African-American and how outsiders often assess them based on language. The speaker feels that African-Americans must constantly prove they are not part of negative stereotypes like being lazy or unfit for success. Language becomes a key factor in this judgment, determining how outsiders perceive their worth and capabilities.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Grammatically Incorrect

This term refers to the use of language that does not conform to the established rules of grammar. In the context of the video, it is discussed in relation to informal conversations where people may speak incorrectly, but it doesn't matter because the listener still understands the message. It highlights the difference between casual, intimate communication and formal, structured environments where correct grammar is expected.

💡Individuality

Individuality refers to a person's unique way of expressing themselves. In the video, it is emphasized that using slang or non-standard language is a form of personal expression and a way to stand out from societal norms. This concept is tied to the speaker's message about maintaining a sense of self and culture, even when pressured to conform.

💡Slang

Slang refers to informal words or phrases often used within specific groups. The speaker in the video notes that slang is a form of rebellion and expression, allowing individuals, especially from marginalized communities, to communicate in ways that feel authentic to their experiences. However, using slang outside familiar environments can be stigmatized and seen as unprofessional.

💡Articulate

To articulate means to speak clearly and effectively. The speaker talks about the pressure to articulate oneself well in professional or business environments, as failure to do so may lead to negative judgments about intelligence or education level. This word underscores the societal expectation to speak 'correctly' in certain contexts to be taken seriously.

💡Rebellion

Rebellion in this context refers to the act of resisting societal norms, particularly linguistic ones. The speaker points out that using 'inferior English' or slang can be seen as a form of rebellion, a way to push back against the pressure to conform to standard language, which is often linked to assimilation into dominant cultures.

💡Assimilate

Assimilation is the process of adopting the language, behavior, or customs of a dominant group. The video explores how individuals, particularly from African-American communities, feel pressured to assimilate by speaking 'correct' English to fit into corporate or formal settings. This concept ties into the tension between maintaining cultural identity and succeeding in mainstream society.

💡Corporate World

The corporate world refers to business environments where professional conduct and communication are highly valued. In the video, the speaker highlights how slang or non-standard language is often frowned upon in these settings, as it is associated with being unprofessional or uneducated. This context contrasts with more casual or personal environments where such language is accepted.

💡Judgment

Judgment refers to the evaluation or assessment of a person based on certain criteria, such as how they speak. The speaker discusses how people, particularly African-Americans, are often judged negatively if they do not speak 'proper English,' being viewed as less intelligent or less capable in professional settings. This judgment is also internalized within their own communities.

💡African-American Language

African-American language refers to the distinctive linguistic styles and dialects spoken within African-American communities, such as African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The video touches on how speaking in these forms of language can be misunderstood or devalued in professional settings, even though they are an important part of cultural expression and identity.

💡Pressure to Conform

This concept refers to the societal expectations placed on individuals to adopt certain behaviors or ways of speaking to fit into mainstream norms. The video discusses how African-Americans feel pressured to speak 'proper English' in formal environments to avoid negative stereotypes and to be seen as competent, reflecting the broader tension between cultural authenticity and societal acceptance.

Highlights

Slang is often used in informal settings, like when speaking with friends, because people feel more comfortable and expressive.

In more formal settings, like a business environment, people consciously change how they speak to fit societal expectations.

Using grammatically incorrect language or slang is sometimes a way to express individuality and rebellion.

There is a social pressure to articulate oneself 'correctly' to be understood and taken seriously.

The way people greet each other using slang (e.g., 'what's up son') is a form of expressing camaraderie and familiarity.

There’s a stigma around using slang or informal language, which can lead to perceptions of lower intelligence or lack of education.

People feel a dual need: the desire to maintain their individuality and the need to conform to societal expectations.

Speaking 'proper English' is often seen as a requirement to succeed in professional and corporate environments.

Using heavy slang can lead to being stereotyped as a 'thug' or 'gangster' even if the individual is educated.

African-Americans often feel pressured to prove they are not one of the 'bad ones' to counter stereotypes.

The environment one grows up in plays a huge role in shaping language and communication style.

Within the African-American community, people can face judgment based on how 'proper' or 'slangy' they speak.

Speaking in a way that fits into mainstream culture can sometimes feel like suppressing one’s true identity.

Language is a primary factor in how people are judged or categorized in society.

The use of slang or informal speech does not indicate a lack of intelligence; it reflects cultural and environmental influences.