Word from the Mother: Language and African Americans / Edition 1

by Geneva Smitherman

Overview

Written by the hugely respected linguist, Geneva Smitherman, this book presents a definitive statement on African American English. Enriched by her evocative and inimitable prose style, the study presents an overview of past debates on the speech of African Americans, as well as providing a vision for the future. Featuring cartoons which demonstrate the relationship between language and race, as well as common perceptions of African American Language, she explores its contribution to mainstream American English and includes a summary of expressions as a suggested linguistic core of AAL.

As global manifestations of Black Language increase, she argues that, through education, we must broaden our conception of AAL and its speakers, and further examine the implications of gender, age and class on AAL. Perhaps most of all we must appreciate the ‘artistic and linguistic genius’ of AAL, presented in this book through rap and Hip Hop lyrics and the explorations of rhyme and rhetoric in the Black speech community.

Word from the Mother is an essential read for students of African American English, language, culture and sociolinguistics, as well as the general reader interested in the worldwide ‘crossover’ of black popular culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415358767
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/07/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	186
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Geneva Smitherman is University Distinguished Professor of English at Michigan State University. A linguist and educational activist, she has been at the forefront of the struggle for language rights for over 25 years. She is the author of several books, among them, Talkin and Testifyin (1977), Black Talk (2000), and Talkin That Talk (2000).

Table of Contents

1. African American Language: So Good it’s Bad 2. Words and Expressions, Proverbs and Familiar Sayings 3. The N-Words 4. Honeyz and Playaz Talkin that Talk 5. 'I Used to Love H.E.R.': Hip Hop, in its Essence and Real 6. 'All Around the World, Same Song' 7. 'Negro Dialect, the Last Barrier to Integration?'

Editorial Reviews

"Many scholars, students and laypersons across the globe have an informed appreciation for the Language of Black America, because they got the Word from the Mother, Dr. Geneva Smitherman. Like no other, 'Dr. G,' the Signifying mother, captures the wit, humor, joy and critical edge that speaks forth from this language of history, culture and experience of the descendants of enslaved African people in these 'United' States of America. This is a classic text and precious gem from an OLE SKOOL Womanist scholar of the people that should be read by generations to come!"

Elaine Richardson, Ohio State University, USA, author of Hiphop Literacies and African American Literacies

"As Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul, 'Dr. G,' as she’s affectionately known, is the Queen of Black Language. She gave us the name 'African American Language' to express the expansiveness of language use in African American communities. Word from the Mother is a must-read in any course that includes African American Language in conveying our language, linguistics, and cultural journey that honors our ancestors and strengthens us by confirming their worth and ours."　

Sonja L. Lanehart, University of Arizona, USA , author of Sista, Speak! Black Women Kinfolk Talk about Language and Literacy

From the Publisher