Adult Quote by John McWhorter
“Black English is simpler than standard English in some ways; for example, it often gets by with just 'be' and drops 'am,' 'is,' and 'are.' That's because black English arose when adult African slaves learned the language.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language, John McWhorter, 2002
Black English often omits certain verb forms, reflecting its historical development among enslaved Africans learning English.
In simple terms: Black English drops some verbs due to its origins.
Key Takeaway
Recognize linguistic diversity and its roots.
Themes
language
history
identity
dialect
colonialism
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
educational
informative
When to use this quote
- education
- communication
- cultural studies
- social integration
- policy making
Key Concepts
Sociolinguistics
creole formation
language simplification
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language simplification affect identity?
- When is standard language preferable?
A Different Perspective
Simplification may reduce expressive precision in formal contexts.
![“[I] would argue that native-born blacks are so vastly less "African" than actual Africans that calling ourselves 'African American' is not only illogical but almost disrespectful to African immigrants. Here are people who were born in Africa, speak African languages, eat African food, dance in…” quote by John McWhorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b22/john-mcwhorter-25821_africa_i-would-argue-that-native-born-blacks-ar_791611.jpg)
