Revisionist History The Origin of “You” – A Conversation with John McWhorter
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May 1, 2025 
In a captivating discussion, linguist John McWhorter shares insights from his new book, *Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words*. He passionately advocates for the return of the word “thou” while analyzing the evolution of American English. John dives into the impact of race and identity on language, the shift towards authentic self-expression in the Black community, and the nuances of generational discourse. Their conversation also touches on how modern slang and cultural expressions reflect shifting social dynamics.
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Childhood Sparked Linguistics Passion
- John McWhorter's interest in language history started with a childhood curiosity about old speech in movies and TV shows.
- Childhood experiences shaped his lifelong obsession with language and dialect differences.
Dialect is Window to History
- John McWhorter did not grow up speaking Black English but understood it passively and never saw it as wrong.
- He recognizes dialect differences as historically rooted language variations, not grammar errors.
Jamaican Language Code-Switching
- Malcolm Gladwell recalls a vivid childhood memory in Jamaica witnessing his uncle switch from Queen's English to Jamaican Patois.
- This switch included a complete change in manner, showcasing deep cultural dynamics of language.
