Different Languages, Different Connotations

I believe that the manner in which one speaks, is heavily influenced by culture and that every style of speech carries distinct associations. Some people may even be tempted to change the way they naturally speak in order to portray a certain persona.

Steven Pinker mentions the “Black English Vernacular” in reference to a conversation with a teenage gang member. Pinker states “The most interesting thing about the dialect is how linguistically uninteresting it is” p49. Grammatically, this dialect of English is correct and displays logic, but I believe that even if it is structurally correct, it will still have certain connotations in the public eye. This language is prominent in pop culture, more specifically in rap music. The following interview with 50 Cent displays the dialect and the persona associated with it. (the video is in the blog entry above)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ot1YXBMtqEE

Generally, people notice differences, therefore, if a dialect deviates from the norm it tends to stand out. People who speak the BEV may appear more tough and street wise than the average person. When celebrities portray a gangster image, and speak in that manner, people tend to associate the two together. I believe that these celebrities influence others to mimic their language, as it is seen in the following video. In the movie “Can’t Hardly Wait”, a teenager who grew up with Standard American English is trying to be more popular by speaking like rappers seen in music videos. (the video is three blog entries above)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ND-ocMjrP_U

This shows that although all languages are structurally similar, dialects also have character. It is important to note that I believe culture influences how you talk; it does not teach you how to understand language. Through culture, youth can be influenced to change their language, which may ultimately effect how it evolves and reinvents itself in their generation.


Works Cited
-You Tube. May 4th, 2006. You Tube, Inc. October 15th 2006. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ND-ocMjrP_U

- You Tube. July 25, 2006. You Tube, Inc. October 15, 2006. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ot1YXBMtqEE

-Pinker, Steven. “Chatterboxes”. Sévigny, Alexandre p49. Introduction to Communications. Kendalll/Hunt Publishing Company, 2006