Introduction
Every individual speaks the English language with a unique accent. This is no different for America, owing to the complex regional differences in educational standards, tradition, culture, and social positions. Four language groups can be identified in the U.S. today, each with its unique origin.
Origins
The African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) is believed to have originated from the interaction between speakers of vernacular English and Western African languages (Carrie and McKenzie). There is also Chicano English, which has emerged from contact between speakers of American English and Mexican Spanish. The third is native American English, which resulted from interaction between Native Americans and the British European colonizers. The final English is the Jewish one developed from the interaction between Jews and Europeans (Carrie and McKenzie). Therefore, despite the differences in circumstances, all these came about due to interactions between different individuals, races, and ethnicities.
Perceptions
The perceptions of these languages also vary greatly depending on their speakers. AAVE is negatively perceived, with a stigma surrounding it, linking it to a lack of formal education and lower socioeconomic status (Nejjari et al.). The same can be said about Chicano English, with most people associating it with those of Mexican origin. Native American English is considered the best and a sign of superiority in politics and academia. Similarly, Jewish English is highly regarded, with significant fascination in linguistics.
Challenges
Extinction is another element that each of these languages faces. AAVE is not considered endangered as it continues to develop over time. The same can be said about Native American English, as it is dominant. However, for Chicanos and Jews, their development has been impeded, and they are seriously endangered, and if nothing is done, they might die (Orelus). Some are developing while others are on the brink of eradication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a significant connection between the development of these languages, the perceptions around them, and the challenges they face. For instance, AAVE is lowly rated simply because its origin is associated with slavery. Chicano English depicts a similar case due to the ethnicity of its speakers. The high regard for Jewish and native American English can be said to be from its domination in White communities.
Works Cited
Carrie, Erin, and Robert M. McKenzie. “American or British? L2 Speakers’ Recognition and Evaluations of Accent Features in English.” Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, vol. 39, no. 4, 2017, pp. 313–328. Web.
Nejjari, Warda, et al. “Where Does a ‘Foreign’ Accent Matter? German, Spanish and Singaporean Listeners’ Reactions to Dutch-Accented English, and Standard British and American English Accents.” PLOS ONE, vol. 15, no. 4, 2020. Web.
Orelus, Pierre. “Linguistic-Minority People’s English Accents Matter: Uprooting Accent Discrimination in American Schools and Other Institutions.” Proceedings of the 2020 AERA Annual Meeting, 2020. Web.