AAVE

Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Grammar and Dictionary

AAVE stands for African American Vernacular English, a grammar and dictionary abbreviation.

Names the variety of English spoken by many African Americans, with its own consistent grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. Linguists study it as a rule-governed dialect, not as a collection of errors.

Example: In AAVE, habitual "be," as in "She be working late," marks an action that happens regularly.

Usage notes

Characteristic features include habitual "be," copula deletion ("He tired") and multiple negation. The 1996 Oakland school board resolution on "Ebonics" set off a national debate, and the Linguistic Society of America responded with a 1997 resolution affirming that the variety is systematic. Related labels include AAE (African American English).

Related abbreviations

More grammar and dictionary abbreviations

• abbr. – Abbreviation
• abl. – Ablative
• acc. – Accusative
• adj. – Adjective
• adv. – Adverb
• AmE – American English
• ant. – Antonym
• arch. – Archaic
• art. – Article
• attrib. – Attributive
• Austral. – Australian
• aux. – Auxiliary (verb)

See all 93 grammar and dictionary abbreviations →

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