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Never change spoken contractions: y'all, ain't, don't, can't et cetera.)

User Aidan Ewen
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Final answer:

The English language includes diverse dialects and variations, such as Southern expressions and African American Vernacular English (AAVE), each with unique grammatical norms. While contractions and possessive forms commonly use apostrophes, they should not be used to pluralize nouns. Professional communication should avoid informal text language, emphasizing clarity and proper grammar.

Step-by-step explanation:

Variants of English, such as Southern expressions like y'all and ain't, reflect geographical and cultural speech patterns, even if traditionally labeled as incorrect. In the context of a college classroom, diverse grammatical rules are observed due to different cultural norms. For instance, certain communities might pluralize nouns in non-standard ways. It's important to recognize that spoken contractions like don't and can't are ubiquitous in informal communication, and the apostrophe denotes the omission of letters.

African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is another major variant spoken within Black communities in the U.S. AAVE has distinct phonological and syntactic features which can include double negatives or the absence of certain grammatical norms found in standard English. Issues of cultural appropriation arise when individuals outside of these communities adopt phrases from AAVE without understanding their context or significance.

The rules surrounding the use of apostrophes also reflect the intricacies of English grammar. Apostrophes are used not only in contractions but also to indicate possession in nouns. However, they should not be used to form plural nouns or verbs. Real-world examples, such as usage during the pandemic or in social media, underscore the relevance of such grammatical rules.

Lastly, it's essential for communication, particularly in professional settings, to avoid text language or slang that could be considered informal or improper, maintaining clarity and conciseness in messaging.

User David Underhill
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