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Questions and Answers
What is the main purpose of the SNL skit 'This is How I Talk'?
Why is Louis C.K.'s character's use of African-American Vernacular English humorous?
Why does Brenda switch to Standard English in the skit?
What social hierarchy is reinforced in the skit?
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What does Brenda imply about AAVE when she says 'this is my real voice. See, I went to a good college...'?
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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.
