People I (Mostly) Admire 72. “Leaving Black People in the Lurch”
Apr 23, 2022
Join linguist and social commentator John McWhorter as he challenges the notion that good intentions are enough to uplift Black America. He dives into the fascinating origins of Creole languages and examines the surprising evolution of the term 'motherf*cker.' McWhorter critiques the complexities of anti-racism movements, urging a focus on grassroots efforts. He also addresses educational disparities affecting Black children, advocating for phonics-based literacy programs. It's an eye-opening discussion on language, identity, and societal progress.
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Creole Languages
- Creole languages arise from the mixing of languages, often due to linguistic adversity, like in plantation slavery.
- They represent how new languages are born from simplified and combined existing languages.
Simplified Languages
- Many major languages have been simplified over time due to interactions with other languages, making them easier to learn.
- English and Mandarin are examples of languages that are more streamlined than their related languages.
Endangered Languages
- Most of the world's 7,000 languages are primarily spoken, with only a few hundred having a strong written tradition.
- Linguistic diversity is predicted to decline as languages without a written form struggle to survive.
