Talking back, talking Black
Subtitle: truths about America's Lingua Franca
By: John McWhorter
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Bellevue Literary Press
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 190
ISBN-13: 9781942658207; 9781942658214
Subjects: Black English; LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Sociolinguistics; African Americans; LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Historical & Comparative; Languages; English language; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Discrimination & Race Relations; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Ethnic Studies / African American Studies
Description: "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."--Page [4] of cover.

"It has now been almost fifty years since linguistic experts began studying Black English as a legitimate speech variety, 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." -- Publisher's description
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-173) and index.
Table of contents: title: It's complicated; title: What do you mean "sounds Black"?; title: But they can't talk that way at a job interview!; title: Speaking Black or speaking minstrel?; title: Through a lens darkly?