Speech play : analysis of fictional literature by black authors

Abstract

This research is an exploratory search for information about speech play in the form of positive and negative nickname calling and labeling, shucking, fussing, ribbing, rapping, and the dozens, within the context of black authors' fictional literature. The sample of seventy fictional selections, randomly selected from a population of three hundred selections, was analyzed through the techniques of content analysis. A total of 22,504 nicknames or labels, four incidents of shucking, 123 incidents of fussing, three incidents of ribbing, 159 incidents of rapping, and sixteen incidents of the dozens were identified in the research sample. The social and psychological reasons for these types of speech play include the Afro-Americans' deep appreciation of their oral tradition, which has persisted through the years because of its practical value in coping with difficult living conditions, and Afro-Americans' experience with prolonged poverty and racial prejudice. In the analyzed literature selections, nicknames are used as a second name, as a descriptive device for characterization to show affection, or as racial slurs and insults. Shucking is a pretend physical and verbal performance directed towards an authority figure that is used by characters to talk their way out of trouble, obtain benefits, or to preserve their lives. Fussing is used by females to scold or tease males, children, or other females in various encounters. Females use fussing as they complain, or quarrel, in order to maintain personal rights or to gain dominance over males. Ribbing is used to tease another person about their personal clothing in order to produce anger or humiliation in that person. Rapping is persuasive speech that projects the speaker's personality or physical style onto the street. Rap helps characters provide information, show sexual interest, insult others, or boast about personal expertise. The dozens are a series of insults about someone's mother. Characters used the dozens as conversation starters, retaliation for teasing, complaining, or attempts to start a fight. The personality traits that many characters share are aggressive personalities, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and pride in their ability to manipulate their environment through the use of language.