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Beyond the Ebonics Debate

Attitudes About Black and Standard American English

Clemson University

This study of 261 Black and White participants determined how standard American English and Black English were perceived on 20 credibility measures. Results indicated that although standard American English was preferred by all participants on several key measures (including all measures of competence), speaker dialect did not alter perceived trustworthiness and likability. On measures of social distance, dialect played a secondary role to the race of the speaker, as White participants preferred White speakers and Black participants preferred Black speakers regardless of dialect.

Key Words: Black English • Ebonics • dialect • credibility

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