1. A Study of the Stigmatization of AAVE
A Language Study- Southeastern Louisiana University
By: Blake Cox & Adam DiBenedetto

2. Introduction The English language– develops
Dialects– many language varieties form
Dialects and vernaculars– linguistically equal
But are they considered equally appropriate in different settings?

3. The Purpose of the Study
Is AAVE stigmatized based on its grammatical deviations from SAE?
Based on the survey results, what implications can be made about the use of AAVE in the academic setting?

4. Summary: Demographics & Parameters
People of different genders
People of different races
Students & Professors
Students & Professors of different fields of study (English, Education, Kinesiology, Communications, Biology, Sociology, etc.)
All participants from SLU (academic setting)

5. Summary of the Study Measured Results Numerical Values
Avg. Rate of Seriousness of Errors (AAVE) =
Avg. Rate of Seriousness of Errors (SAE) =
Difference between the above averages =
Summary of the Study
20-question survey
Each question contains an “error”
Participants rank errors (1-5)
Each question requires an answer
Summary of results is drawn

6. Difference of Averages
Implications
Difference of Averages
T-test Results
Approximately 0.54
Determines whether 2 data sets are “statistically significant”
Measured Results
Numerical Value
Difference between averages

7. T-test Results
T-test value 0.05 marks the criterion for “statistical significance”
Any p value > 0.05 is NOT statistically significant
Our results had a p value of
We cannot confidently say that our means are caused by anything other than chance
Though Diff. of Avgs ≈ 0.54, t-test implies not enough evidence of a conscious choice by respondents

8. Answering the Questions
Is AAVE stigmatized based on its grammatical deviations from SAE?
Based on results, the analyses show that while the averages of the respondents’ rankings differ by approximately 0.54, the t- test calculation deems the results of the study, based on the p value that was calculated, “not statistically significant.”
Therefore, results don’t indicate stigmatization of either language variety
Based on the survey results, what implications can be made about the use of AAVE in the academic setting?
Based on the results of the study, the difference between the rankings of the seriousness of the “errors” in AAVE and SAE cannot exactly be considered indicative of stigmatization of a language variety.
This particular academic setting does not indicate that AAVE is stigmatized.