AAVE query

[Arnold M. Zwicky]

from a very old friend:

I am currently teaching physics at ... a historically (and pretty
much actually) African-American college, in ... Birmingham, Alabama.
Some of my students use "What that is?" in asking questions.  Has
this been studied?  Is it regional, hip-prestige, or what?

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any leads?

i have asked him if he hears only this one formula, or more things of
the same form, like "What your name is?"

arnold

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