Sociolinguistic Artifacts

This the Onion article (a satire news publication that pokes fun at social and political current events), makes fun of how many corporate brands have appropriated terms that originated in AAL (the article references, to name a few: AF, lit, and on fleek). The article satirizes the concept by saying that these brands are now calling out the African American community for appropriating the language that they use to connect with their consumers. While it is humorous, the article touches on our brief class discussion about why white/non-native speakers of AAL feel it is appropriate, even cool, to use AAL themselves, but actual AAL speakers are speaking "incorrect/improper" English. It also brings in how companies profit off of the appropriation of AAL, and therefore gain profit on the backs of Black people. [Published on 10-11-2022]