SYNTACTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF BLACK ENGLISH IN ALICE WALKER’S THE COLOR PURPLE (A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY)

By
Mohammad Irfan S
02026138

ABSTRACT

This research entitled Syntactic Characteristics of Black English in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is intended to identify the types and functions of the Syntactic Characteristics of Black English used in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple.

This research belongs to qualitative research, which does not use statistical procedures. The data collecting is conducted by using observation method, tapping technique, non-participative observation technique, and note technique. The data analysis is performed by applying the distributional and contextual research methods. The data used in this research are the written forms of the Syntactic Characteristics of Black English used in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. The data are written in the form of sentences in order to facilitate the syntactical analysis. At last, the data are transferred into the data card based on their types.

The result of the research shows that, of the seven Syntactic Characteristics of Black English mentioned in chapter two, there are only six of them found in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, they are: the zero copula, the double/multiple negation, the habitual be, the negative inversion, the completive marker done, and the remote phase marker been. These Syntactic Characteristics of Black English can function as a media to arrange the social contacts, to deliver one’s experience about beauty, to express a certain feeling, to ask something to others, and to avoid something by proposing objections and reasons. In addition, they constitute a major symbol of identity of the speakers.