John H. McWhorter Knihy

An authoritative, impassioned celebration of Black English, how it works, and why it matters-now in paperback!

In this thought-provoking work, John McWhorter explores the complexities of language and its evolution, emphasizing the dynamic nature of human communication. He delves into the interplay between language and culture, examining how societal changes influence linguistic shifts. With a blend of humor and insight, McWhorter challenges conventional notions about language, encouraging readers to appreciate its fluidity and the richness it brings to human interaction. This book is a compelling read for anyone interested in linguistics and cultural studies.

Saramaccan has been central to various debates regarding the origin and nature of creole languages. Being the most removed of all English-based creoles from European language structure in terms of phonology, morphology and syntax, it has been seen as one of the most extreme instantiations of the creolization process. This is the first full-length description of Saramaccan. The grammar documents, in particular, a valence-sensitive system of indicating movement and direction via serial verb constructions, hitherto overlooked amidst the generalized phenomenon of serialization itself.

This series offers a wide forum for work on contact linguistics, using an integrated approach to both diachronic and synchronic manifestations of contact, ranging from social and individual aspects to structural-typological issues. Topics covered by the series include child and adult bilingualism and multilingualism, contact languages, borrowing and contact-induced typological change, code switching in conversation, societal multilingualism, bilingual language processing, and various other topics related to language contact. The series does not have a fixed theoretical orientation, and includes contributions from a variety of approaches.

Japanese has a term that covers both green and blue. Russian has separate terms for dark and light blue. Does this mean that Russians perceive these colors differently from Japanese people? Does language control and limit the way we think? This short, opinionated book addresses the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which argues that the language we speak shapes the way we perceive the world. Linguist John McWhorter argues that while this idea is mesmerizing, it is plainly wrong. It is language that reflects culture and worldview, not the other way around. The fact that a language has only one word for eat, drink, and smoke doesn't mean its speakers don't process the difference between food and beverage, and those who use the same word for blue and green perceive those two colors just as vividly as others do. McWhorter shows not only how the idea of language as a lens fails but also why we want so badly to believe it: we're eager to celebrate diversity by acknowledging the intelligence of peoples who may not think like we do. Though well-intentioned, our belief in this idea poses an obstacle to a better understanding of human nature and even trivializes the people we seek to celebrate. The reality -- that all humans think alike -- provides another, better way for us to acknowledge the intelligence of all peoples.

This volume gathers the last ten years worth of published articles on Creole languages and their origins by John H. McWhorter, a unique and often controversial scholar in the field.

Focusing on the challenges facing black Americans, the author argues that a commitment to achievement and integration is essential for progress. He explores the roots of issues like poverty and high incarceration rates, asserting that the victimhood mentality stemming from the civil rights era has hindered advancement. McWhorter critiques cultural narratives that perpetuate disempowerment, including the glorification of violence in hip-hop and the stigma against successful individuals. He calls for a shift away from blaming racism for all challenges, advocating for proactive solutions to improve the future of black America.

A bestselling linguist takes us on a lively tour of the evolving English language and why we should embrace its transformation. Language is always changing, yet many resist this evolution. While new words emerge for new concepts, contemporary usage often frustrates traditionalists—consider the shift of literally to mean "figuratively" or the prevalence of terms like LOL and business jargon such as "What's the ask?" However, John McWhorter reveals that these changes are natural and not indicative of deterioration. Through humor and relatable examples, he illustrates that language shifts are common across all languages and should be appreciated rather than condemned. The exploration uncovers surprising histories behind everyday words and expressions. For instance, did you know that silly originally meant "blessed"? Or that ought was once the past tense of owe? McWhorter also highlights the fascinating reasons behind regional accents, such as why some New Orleans speakers sound like they're from Brooklyn. By encouraging us to marvel at the dynamism and resilience of English, this book offers a delightful journey, showing that words are continuously evolving and enriching our lives in the process.

A compelling argument for why creoles are their own unique entity, which have developed independently of other processes of language development and change.

Creolists have established that many processes determine the structure of Caribbean creole languages, including innate linguistic universals, West African retentions, and certain patterns of simplification. Towards a New Model of Creole Genesis presents a method of uniting these strands into a single model of creole genesis. This discussion is primarily illustrated via Saramaccan Creole English, spoken in Suriname and combining elements from English, Portuguese, Dutch, and a range of African languages. An extensive evaluation of Derek Bickerton's Language Bioprogram Hypothesis is also presented. Increasing evidence is offered that Saramaccan and other Caribbean English creoles ultimately trace back to a single pidgin ancestor which emerged on the West African coast.