Three prime time television situation comedies with primarily Black casts were studied for frequency and variations in use of Black English Vernacular (BEV). It is suggested that homogenization of BEV on American television reflects the attitude that BEV is not a legitimate language choice. (GC)

Suggests that while language variation is widespread and natural, it is subject to judgment and that where a standard has developed other varieties are judged against the standard. Investigates how teachers judge the speech of school-aged students and what influences that judgment. Results show teachers' perceptions of speech were most strongly…