The Good Fight John McWhorter on Pronouns
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Apr 9, 2025 
John McWhorter, a linguist and cultural commentator from Columbia University, dives into the fascinating world of pronouns. He discusses how language evolves, emphasizing the historical fluidity of pronouns and the legitimacy of dialects like African-American English. McWhorter tackles the importance of adopting singular 'they', challenges conventional grammar norms, and highlights societal shifts toward inclusivity. The conversation also touches on the implications of gender-neutral language, reflecting broader cultural changes in identity and acceptance.
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John and Me
- "Me and John are recording a podcast" is grammatically correct.
- 18th-century grammarians, venerating Latin, artificially prescribed "John and I."
Classism in Grammar
- Prescriptive grammar rules can reinforce classism.
- Saying "John and I" has become a marker of education, like ballroom dancing or playing the piano.
Black English
- Black English is a distinct dialect, not broken English.
- It's often more complex than Standard English and should be viewed as a variation, like Bavarian German.
