The word on the street
Subtitle: fact and fable about American English
By: John McWhorter.
Publisher: Plenum Trade
Published: 1998
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 294
Subjects: English language -- Social aspects -- United States; English language -- Spoken English -- United States; English language -- Variation -- United States; Language and culture -- United States; English language -- United States; African Americans -- Languages; Black English; Americanisms
Description: In The Word on the Street, John McWhorter reveals our American English in all its variety, beauty, and expressiveness. Debunking the myth of a "pure" standard English, he considers the speech patterns and accents of many regions and ethnic groups in the U.S. and demonstrates how language evolves. He takes up the tricky question of gender-neutral pronouns.

He dares to ask, "Should we translate Shakespeare?" Focusing on whether how our children speak determines how they learn, he presents the controversial Ebonics debate in light of his research on dialects and creoles.

The Word on the Street frees us to truly speak our minds.

It is John McWhorter's answer to William Safire, transformed here into everybody's Aunt Lucy, who insists on correcting our grammar and making us feel slightly embarrassed about our everyday use of the language. ("To whom," she will insist, and "don't split your infinitives!") He reminds us that we'd better accept the fact that language is always changing - not only slang, but sound, syntax, and words' meanings - and get on with the business of communicating effectively with one another.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 273-281) and index.