Regionality in African-American Hip-Hop Communities. A Case Study of Philadelphia and New York

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Background to the study
• 2.1 Regional variation in AAVE
• 2.2 Regionality in hip-hop
• 3. Analysis
• 3.1 Remarks on selected artists and songs
• 3.2 Remarks on selected variables
• 3.2.1 Phonological variables
• 3.2.2 Syntactical variables
• 3.3 Philadelphia
• 3.3.1 Phonology
• 3.3.1.1 Fronting of GOOSE and GOAT vowels
• 3.3.1.2 Vocalization of /1/
• 3.3.1.3 Postvocalic /r/
• 3.3.1.4 Realization of TRAP/BATH/DANCE
• 3.3.1.5 Raising of THOUGHT
• 3.3.1.6 Dental fricatives
• 3.3.1.7 Glide weakening/monophthongization of PRICE
• 3.3.1.8 hill/heel merger
• 3.3.1.9 DRESS/KIT merger
• 3.3.2 Syntax
• 3.3.2.1 Copula deletion
• 3.3.2.2 Invariant be
• 3.3.2.4 Negation
• 3.3.3 Conclusion
• 3.4 New York
• 3.4.1 Phonology
• 3.4.1.1 Fronting of GOOSE and GOAT vowels
• 3.4.1.2 Vocalization of /l/
• 3.4.1.3 Postvocalic /r/
• 3.4.1.4 Realization of TRAP/BATH/DANCE
• 3.4.1.5 Raising of THOUGHT
• 3.4.1.6 Dental fricatives
• 3.4.1.7 Glide weakening/monophthongization of PRICE
• 3.4.1.8 hill/heel merger
• 3.4.1.9 DRESS/KIT merger
• 3.4.2 Syntax
• 3.4.2.1 Copula Deletion
• 3.4.2.2 Invariant be
• 3.4.2.3 Negation
• 3.4.3 Conclusion
• 4. Discussion of the results

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master's thesis examines regional variation in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) within hip-hop communities in Philadelphia and New York City. The study aims to analyze the phonological and syntactic features of AAVE in these two distinct regions and identify key differences in language use.

• Regional variation in AAVE
• Phonological and syntactic features of AAVE
• Hip-hop as a cultural and linguistic phenomenon
• Language variation and social identity
• The impact of geographic location on language use

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter introduces the topic of regional variation in AAVE, specifically focusing on hip-hop communities in Philadelphia and New York City. It outlines the research question and the methodology used in the study.

• Chapter 2: Background to the study

This chapter provides a background on the topic of regional variation in AAVE, discussing the historical development of the language and the factors that contribute to regional differences. It also examines the role of hip-hop as a cultural and linguistic force in shaping regional variations in AAVE.

• Chapter 3: Analysis

This chapter presents the core analysis of the study, examining the phonological and syntactic features of AAVE in Philadelphia and New York City. It analyzes data from selected artists and songs, focusing on key variables such as vowel fronting, vocalization of /l/, postvocalic /r/, and copula deletion.

• Chapter 3.3 Philadelphia

This section provides a detailed analysis of AAVE in Philadelphia, examining the phonological and syntactic features of the language. It discusses the specific realizations of various phonological variables, such as the fronting of GOOSE and GOAT vowels, the vocalization of /l/, and the realization of TRAP/BATH/DANCE.

• Chapter 3.4 New York

This section presents a parallel analysis of AAVE in New York City, comparing and contrasting its phonological and syntactic features with those of Philadelphia. It examines the same phonological and syntactic variables as in the Philadelphia section, highlighting any significant regional differences.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study examines the regional variations in AAVE, specifically focusing on phonological and syntactic features within hip-hop communities of Philadelphia and New York City. The key terms and concepts include AAVE, hip-hop, regional variation, phonology, syntax, language variation, social identity, geographic location, and cultural influence.