What does the term “dialect” refer to in these quotes?
Exercise 2
In the following sets of sentences identify which sentences characterize:
● nonstandard English
● informal standard English
● superstandard English (forms which are too standard for everyday conversation)
1 a He's not as smart as I.
b He's not so smart as I.
c He ain't as smart as me.
d He not as smart as me.
2 a He's not to do that.
b He not supposed to do that,
c He don't supposed to do that,
d He's not supposed to do that.
3 a I'm right, ain't I?
b I'm right, aren't I?
c I'm right, am I not?
d I'm right, isn't I?
4 a If I was going to do that, I would start right now.
b If I were going to do that, I would start right now.
c Were I to do that, I would start right now.
d I would start right now, if I was going to that
5 a A person should not change her speech,
b One should not change one's speech.
c A person should not change their speech.
d A person should not change his or her speech.
Exercise 3
Which is preferable for you?
The person who responded to an inquiry about a boss’ whereabouts by saying:
a) She’s not here. What do you want?
b) I’m sorry, she not in now. She be back this afternoon.
Exercise 4
Give Standard American English version of the following. African American vernacular English version
No matter what neighborhood you be in – Black, White or whatever – young dudes be having they wheels. Got to have them. Well, anyway, there happen to be a young brother by name of Russell. He had his wheels. Soul neighborhood, you know. He had this old ’57 Ford. You know how brothers be with they wheels. They definitely be keeping them looking clean, clean, clean.
Exercise 5
Give Standard American English version of the passage that portrays the vernacular dialect of an African American preacher.
“fergit ever’thing but yo’soul, son. Take yo’mind off ever’thing but eternal life. fergit what newspaper say. Fergit yuh’s black. Gawd looks past yo’ skin ‘n inter yo’soul, son. He’s lookin’ at the only parta yuh tha’s His. He wants yuh ‘n’ He loves yuh. Give yo’se’f t’ ‘Im, son. Lissen, lemme tell yuh why yuh’s here; lemme tell yuh a story tha’ll make yo’ heart glad.”
Exercise 6