Black American English (BAE) is a legitimate, culturally rooted, and rule-governed dialect of American English that developed historically within Black American communities. It possesses its own consistent grammar, pronunciation patterns, vocabulary, and cultural expressions. Linguists recognize BAE as a fully developed and systematic variety of English—not as “slang,” “broken English,” or “incorrect English.” BAE is shaped by Black Americans’ linguistic heritage and the history of Black communities in the United States. As an ongoing cultural innovation, BAE functions both as a mode of communication and as a marker of identity, community, and artistic expression. Its distinct phonological, syntactic, and lexical features reflect the influence of Black American linguistic traditions, shaped by the sociopolitical conditions of enslavement and segregation, as well as the continuous creativity within Black American culture. Like any other recognized English dialect, BAE follows internally consistent grammatical rules and serves as a symbol of cultural identity, solidarity, and resilience. It has also significantly influenced broader American English through its impact on music, literature, slang, and digital communication.
Many linguists argue that Black American English (BAE) should be taught and understood as a legitimate dialect with its own rules rather than dismissed as informal speech.
by Jamel Flyte November 15, 2025
Get the Black American English (BAE)mug. Annual Urban Event located in Miami Beach, Florida every memory day weekend. Event where people drink, walk the street and attend night club and large parties
by black_info_man September 9, 2011
Get the black beach weekmug. A 1990s and 2000s movie trope. A diversity token to attract black audiences. Usually the black BFF is unknown to the general audience, but is an A-Lister in the black film scene. They, be it he or a she, offer gems of wisdom with a little urban or southern flair, and sometimes they can even save the day.
I wonder what that black actress from The Unborn is doing right now, she was so hot! But also, a great example of a dependable black friend.
Oh, you mean Meagan Good? I think she's married now..
Oh, you mean Meagan Good? I think she's married now..
by Oddkidd1 July 4, 2023
Get the Dependable Black Friendmug. That feeling you get after you drink too much alcohol where you've crashed on your bed and you feel as if the world is spinning around. Most people put one foot on the ground to keep from getting sick.
(see also "Twirlies")
(see also "Twirlies")
by WordBoy March 22, 2004
Get the Black Twirliesmug. What black eyed peas really are
by M£@t-H@mm£r January 10, 2019
Get the Black eyed beansmug. The way Amish people think out of wedlock children bearing black marks because of their parents' sin of having premarital sex, they act like the parents should have aborted them when their mothers got pregnant with them from the sexual intercourse the parents had. Like anti abortionists say "It's not the children's faults that their parents had sex before they were married".
by chad'srockergrrrll June 13, 2024
Get the black markmug.