The characteristics of several nonstandard dialects of American English are presented in this paper in the form of an inventory of features. It has been compiled with the recognition that nonstandard dialects are governed by pronunciation and grammatical rules and that within the broad category of nonstandard dialects, regional and ethnic variations occur. The code used in the inventory to designate major varieties of nonstandard dialects consists of: (1) NS--used in all nonstandard varieties of American English, including northern white NS, southern white NS, and black English; (2) SWNS--southern white NS; (3) S--southern white standard (possible considered nonstandard in some northern contexts); and (4) BE--black English. The inventory includes sections on consonant cluster reduction; the "th" sounds; the "r" and "l" sounds; final "b,""d," and "g"; nasalization; vowel glides; verb constructions; the copula verb concord; negation; the possessive forms; plurals; pronominal apposition; relative clauses; questions; demonstratives; and pronouns. (JM)