"This is a fantastic intro to African American English. Rigorous enough for linguists but also highly engaging and accessible to nonlinguists. Wonderful book."
- Lisa, Goodreads Reviews
"The book was awesome, i loved it. Would recommend to anyone who wants to seriously learn about the way we speak and why."
- Derrick, Mercer Amazon Reviews
"It's a beautiful celebration of the African American Vernacular. It gives detailed information concerning its grammar, its origins, its history, and its forms (music, poetry, speech, and writings). It gets to the truth about ebonics and the need to preserve this beautiful America dialect. An uplifting read."
- Gloria, Goodreads Reviews
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." ( Rickford, back cover, 2000 )
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. ( Rickford, back cover, 2000 )
JOHN R. RICKFORD wrote this book with his son, RUSSELL J. RICKFORD, and they won the American Book Award in 2000.
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. ( Rickford, back cover, 2000 )
JOHN R. RICKFORD wrote this book with his son, RUSSELL J. RICKFORD, and they won the American Book Award in 2000.