Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English - Softcover

Rickford, John Russell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471399574 ISBN 13: 9780471399575

Publisher: JW, 2000

Synopsis

In Praise of Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English " Spoken Soul brilliantly fills a huge gap. . . . a delightfully readable introduction to the elegant interweave between the language and its culture." – Ralph W. Fasold , Georgetown university "A lively, well–documented history of Black English . . . that will enlighten and inform not only educators, for whom it should be required reading, but all who value and question language." – Kirkus Reviews "Spoken Soul is a must read for anyone who is interested in the connection between language and identity." – Chicago Defender Claude Brown called Black English "Spoken Soul." Toni Morrison said, "It′s a love, a passion. Its function is like a preacher’s: to make you stand out of your seat, make you lose yourself and hear yourself. The worst of all possible things that could happen would be to lose that language." Now renowned linguist John R. Rickford and journalist Russell J. Rickford provide the definitive guide to African American vernacular English–from its origins and features to its powerful fascination for society at large.

About this title

Synopsis:

"Spoken Soul is a must read for anyone who is interested in the connection between language and identity. It is educational, informative, and enlightening." - "Chicago Defender". A compelling exploration of Black English from its roots to its force in contemporary culture. In this timely book, renowned linguist John Rickford provides the definitive guide to Black English from its origins, to its new directions, to its powerful fascination for society at large. Drawing on fresh research, Rickford achieves a rare feat: popular reading filled with genuine revelation. "Spoken Soul" is loaded with examples from such icons as August Wilson, Richard Pryor, and Eddie Murphy. Rickford also crashes through the rigid divisions separating "high" and "low" culture. Telling the story of the language links such apparently disparate figures as Toni Morrison, Jesse Jackson, and Lauryn Hill.

About the Author:

JOHN R. RICKFORD is the Martin Luther King Jr. Centennial Professor of Linguistics at Stanford University. He lives in Palo Alto, California. RUSSELL J. RICKFORD , a former reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer , lives in Philadelphia.

About this edition

• Publisher: JW
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0471399574
• ISBN 13: 9780471399575
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 290