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Sociolinguistics in Comedy: SNL's 'This is How I Talk' Skit

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Sociolinguistics in Comedy: SNL's 'This is How I Talk' Skit

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of the SNL skit 'This is How I Talk'?

To highlight the racial differences between black and white people.

To promote the use of African-American Vernacular English in academic settings.

To create a humorous situation by playing off of linguistic and societal norms. (correct)

To show the difference between African-American Vernacular English and Standard English.

Why is Louis C.K.'s character's use of African-American Vernacular English humorous?

Because it is a common way for white people to communicate.

Because it is an unusual speech type for a white individual. (correct)

Because it is a more formal way of speaking.

Because it is not commonly used in academic settings.

Why does Brenda switch to Standard English in the skit?

To pretend to be a native speaker of African-American Vernacular English.

To find out if Louis C.K.'s character is only pretending to speak AAVE natively. (correct)

To show the difference between AAVE and SE.

To prove that SE is more superior to AAVE.

What social hierarchy is reinforced in the skit?

<p>The hierarchy of academic achievement based on dialect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Brenda imply about AAVE when she says 'this is my real voice. See, I went to a good college...'?

<p>That AAVE is not an 'academic' form of speech.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Language and Humor in "This is How I Talk" Skit

The SNL skit "This is How I Talk" uses linguistic and societal norms associated with different racial groups to create humor.
The skit's humor stems from Louis C.K.'s character, a white individual, pretending to be a native speaker of African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) to avoid offending his new boss.
AAVE is strongly associated with the black community, making Louis C.K.'s use of it as a white individual unusual and humorous.

Societal Conceptions of Language and Hierarchy

The skit highlights the common conception that AAVE is not an "academic" form of speech, implying that it is inferior to Standard English (SE).
Brenda's switch to SE to uncover the truth about Louis C.K.'s character reinforces the social hierarchy related to American dialects, with SE being perceived as more prestigious.
Brenda's statement "this is my real voice. See, I went to a good college..." reinforces this notion, suggesting that SE is associated with higher education and greater respectability.

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Description

Explore the SNL skit 'This is How I Talk' and its use of linguistic and societal norms to create humor. Analyze how Louis C.K. uses AAVE to avoid revealing his true intentions.