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Talking Back, Talking Black

Truths About America's Lingua Franca

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Talking Back, Talking Black

Written by: John McWhorter
Narrated by: John McWhorter
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About this listen

Linguists have been studying Black English as a speech variety for years, arguing to the public that it is different from Standard English, not a degradation of it. Yet false assumptions and controversies still swirl around what it means to speak and sound "Black." In his first book devoted solely to the form, structure, and development of Black English, John McWhorter clearly explains its fundamentals and rich history while carefully examining the cultural, educational, and political issues that have undermined recognition of this transformative, empowering dialect.

Talking Back, Talking Black takes us on a fascinating tour of a nuanced and complex language that has moved beyond America's borders to become a dynamic force for today's youth culture around the world.

©2017 John McWhorter (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books Linguistics Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences United States
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What the critics say

“Superb.” (Steven Pinker)

“An explanation, a defense, and, most heartening, a celebration.... McWhorter demonstrates the ‘legitimacy’ of Black English by uncovering its complexity and sophistication, as well as the still unfolding journey that has led to its creation.... [His] intelligent breeziness is the source of the book’s considerable charm.” (New Yorker)

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Very Decent

I really wanted a resource that drove into the social realities of black language code switching. this book provided a good wide frame of reference from which to better understand my linguistic tendencies, their origins and their prevalence. The author is an accomplished linguist whose studies do very well to inform the content of his book. He admits to never really code switching himself though, and as such, some of his examples seem a bit too academically specific to resonate with their actual practical usage. His claim on the way "up" and "nigga" get used are interesting, actually quite valuable, but limited in their scope. A knowledgeable black listener can see the holes the specificity he argues in these, and other instances, from a mile off. That said, the book is fantastic and I am much more comfortable with myself in the world and very thankful for that. the book is a brave success and I'm glad to have taken it in. I'm better equipped to defend against the simple opponents of black English.

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