Children's Perceptions of Black English as a Variable in Intraracial Perception

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation is to examine African American children 's perceptions of those African Americans who use Black English (BE) in contrast to those who use Standard English (SE). Previous studies examining adult perceptions revealed that as middle-class African Americans move more toward the mainstream of American culture, their perceptions of African Americans who speak BE have become more negative. However, previous research with children indicates that children may in fact view BE as more positive than SE. In the present study, African American male and female junior high students were exposed to an audiotaped male speaking in either BE or SE. Participants were then asked to rate the speaker on a numberofpersonality characteristics. Results indicated that contrary to the literature with African American adults, African American children rated the BE model as more likable and competent than the SE model.