Language and the African American Child

Uncover the fascinating journey of language acquisition in African American children with Lisa J. Green's groundbreaking book, "Language and the African American Child." Published by Cambridge University Press in 2011, this first edition paperback offers a deep dive into the developmental linguistics of African American English (AAE), a vibrant and rule-governed dialect with its own rich history and structure. This meticulously researched work goes beyond surface-level observations to explore *how* children acquire and develop the specific linguistic patterns prevalent in their communities. Dr. Green masterfully blends data from natural, spontaneous speech samples with insights gleaned from carefully designed elicitation tasks, providing a robust and nuanced understanding of the developmental trajectory. The book meticulously examines key areas of linguistic development, including: * **Tense/Aspect Marking:** Discover how children master the intricacies of expressing time and duration within the AAE grammatical system, a system that often differs significantly from Standard American English. * **Negation:** Explore the developmental stages involved in acquiring AAE's unique negation patterns, shedding light on the cognitive processes at play. * **Question Formation:** Unravel the intricacies of how children learn to formulate questions in AAE, revealing the underlying linguistic rules they internalize. * **Intonational Patterns:** Dr. Green delves into the crucial role of intonation in conveying meaning in AAE, demonstrating the connection between pitch, stress, and overall communicative effectiveness. A central theme of "Language and the African American Child" is the powerful influence of community input on linguistic development. Green expertly demonstrates how the language environment surrounding children shapes their production of variable constructions such as possessive "-s," third-person singular verbal "-s," and forms of the copula and auxiliary "be" (e.g., "He be going"). She illuminates the dynamic interplay between individual learning and the broader social context, highlighting the importance of understanding AAE as a legitimate and valuable linguistic system. But this book is more than just a theoretical exploration. Dr. Green bridges the gap between linguistic description and practical application, offering valuable insights for educators and curriculum developers. She discusses the implications of her research for creating culturally responsive instructional materials that effectively support the linguistic development of African American children in the early stages of their education. By understanding the specific linguistic features of AAE and the developmental processes involved in its acquisition, educators can create learning environments that celebrate linguistic diversity and promote academic success. Lisa J. Green is a leading expert in the field of African American English and child language acquisition. Her work has been instrumental in challenging negative stereotypes associated with AAE and promoting a deeper appreciation for its linguistic complexity and cultural significance. "Language and the African American Child" stands as a seminal work in the field, providing a comprehensive and insightful analysis of AAE development that is essential reading for linguists, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the multifaceted nature of language acquisition. With 288 pages of in-depth analysis, this book offers a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective on the linguistic landscape of African American communities. Weighing approximately 400 grams, this Cambridge University Press paperback (ISBN-13: 9780521618175) is a valuable resource for academic study and professional development.