Lesson 1.1.1 Origins of African American Language

Student Learning Objective: Students will write a summary of the features of African American language as it developed during slavery and the examples of the African American vernacular as used in the works of many authors.

Lesson: YouTube: Melvyn Bragg’s “Origins of African American Language” (YouTube)

Instructions: Please view the entire video (5 minutes) as Melvyn Bragg explains some of the features of African American language as it developed during slavery and provides examples of the African American vernacular as used in the works of many authors.  Take notes as you view the lecture and afterwards, take 5-7 minutes to write a summary paragraph between 150-200 words about what you learned from the video.  Viewing this video, taking notes, and writing the summary should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.