Been Quote by John McWhorter
“Black English is something which - it's a natural system in itself. And even though it is a dialect of English, it can be very difficult for people who don't speak it, or who haven't been raised in it, to understand when it's running by quickly, spoken in particular by young men colloquially to each other. So that really is an issue.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Power of Babel, 2016
Black English is a distinct linguistic system; its rapid, colloquial flow can be hard for outsiders, underscoring the need for cultural and linguistic awareness.
In simple terms: Black English is its own dialect, often fast.
Key Takeaway
Learn its patterns, respect speakers.
Themes
language
culture
communication
Mood
educational
empathetic
Type
cultural
informative
When to use this quote
- classroom
- media
- interpersonal dialogue
Key Concepts
sociolinguistics
dialectology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators bridge understanding?
- What assumptions hinder communication?
A Different Perspective
Risk of stereotyping.
![“[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)
