I am now completing research supported by NSF and NEH that is mapping changes in the English language through all of North America, for both mainstream and minority communities. — William Labov Copy Share Image
This African American Vernacular English shares most of its grammar and vocabulary with other dialects of English. But it is distinct in many ways, and it is more different from standard English than any other dialect spoken in continental North… — William Labov Copy Share Image
And instead of getting a pepper-and-salt effect, we find very clear and sharp divisions between the dialects of the United States, which are getting… — William Labov Copy Share Image
“possible topics around which the currents of speech may flow: Death and the danger of death: violence, fighting, sickness, fear, dreams, premonitions and communication… — William Labov Copy Share Image
I have resisted the term sociolinguistics for many years, since it implies that there can be a successful linguistic theory or practice which is… — William Labov Copy Share Image
Well, American dialects have been studied for a hundred years or so. — William Labov Copy Share Image
It appears that the present-day form of African American English is not the inheritance of the period of slavery, but the creation of the… — William Labov Copy Share Image
However, research in the years that followed found that in many of its important features, African American Vernacular English was becoming not less, but… — William Labov Copy Share Image
I am now completing research supported by NSF and NEH that is mapping changes in the English language through all of North America, for… — William Labov Copy Share Image
We focus upon pairs of words very often which are the same in some areas and different in other areas. — William Labov Copy Share Image
An important aspect of the current situation is the strong social reaction against suggestions that the home language of African American children be used… — William Labov Copy Share Image
But unlike European countries, America has never finished a map of the United States, only the eastern United States is covered and a few… — William Labov Copy Share Image
This African American Vernacular English shares most of its grammar and vocabulary with other dialects of English. But it is distinct in many ways,… — William Labov Copy Share Image
