In August Wilson's powerful play, "Fences," the language employed is primarily a strategic mix of standard English and African-American vernacular. This blend is crucial to the play's authenticity and its depiction of the characters' lives.
August Wilson masterfully utilizes different language styles to provide depth and realism to his characters. As stated in the reference, the characters in "Fences" use a variety of language styles that genuinely reflect their diverse backgrounds, levels of education, and the specific time period in which the play is set. This deliberate choice by the playwright allows him to accurately capture the distinctive voices and communication patterns of each individual character.
Linguistic Elements in Fences
The dual nature of the language in "Fences" serves multiple artistic and thematic purposes:
- Standard English: This is often employed by characters in more formal settings, when expressing complex ideas, or to highlight a certain level of education or aspiration. It provides a contrast that underscores the characters' societal interactions and personal growth.
- African-American Vernacular (AAV) / African-American English (AAE): More commonly known as Black English Vernacular, this dialect is integral to the authentic portrayal of the characters' everyday lives, cultural identity, and the historical context of the play. It brings a rich texture of spoken language, idiomatic expressions, and syntax that reflects the specific community and era.
| Language Type | Characteristics & Purpose |
|---|---|
| Standard English | Utilized by characters when expressing more formal thoughts, engaging in debates, or to signify educational background. It often highlights their navigation of a broader society. |
| African-American Vernacular (AAV) | Dominant in depicting the raw, unfiltered conversations of daily life. It includes specific vocabulary, grammatical structures, and a rhythm that authenticates the characters' identities, community ties, and their lived experiences within a particular cultural and historical context. This captures how different characters speak and reflects their backgrounds and time period. |
Why This Linguistic Blend Matters
The choice to weave together standard English with African-American vernacular is not merely for authenticity; it serves as a powerful narrative tool:
- Character Development: The way each character speaks—their choice of words, their idioms, their grammar—reveals their education, their social standing, their personal history, and their aspirations.
- Cultural Authenticity: It immerses the audience in the specific cultural and social landscape of the African-American community in the 1950s, making the dialogue resonate with historical accuracy and emotional depth.
- Thematic Resonance: The language itself becomes a medium to explore themes of identity, race, class, dreams deferred, and the complexities of familial relationships within the African-American experience. Wilson's precision with language highlights the struggles and triumphs of his characters, giving voice to a rich oral tradition.
By blending these language styles, August Wilson ensures that "Fences" remains a profound and relatable exploration of the human condition, deeply rooted in a specific cultural and historical context.
