Sonja Lanehart

Dr. Sonja Lanehart discusses the rich history of African American English and the making of a new dictionary. They explore words like 'kitchen' and 'Aunt Hagar's Children,' the importance of black newspapers, and word submissions. The cultural significance of 'kitchen' for black women is highlighted, along with hidden stories in African American English and word evolution. Stay tuned for future segments on language evolution and fun walking-related terms.

In this episode, linguistics professor Sonja Lanehart explores the influence of language on our understanding of curiosity. They discuss African American women's language, linguistic justice, decolonizing language, and the controversy around the word 'the'. They also engage in a playful game of analogies to deepen their understanding of curiosity.

Karen Atiyah, a Washington Post opinion writer, shares her perspective on the term 'Karen' and its cultural implications. Sonja Lanehart, a linguistics professor at the University of Arizona, dives into the acronym BIPOC and the evolving conversation around race and identity. They discuss how movements like Black Lives Matter have influenced language, the significance of capitalizing 'Black,' and the distinct experiences of Black and Indigenous communities. Together, they unpack the complexities of these terms and their societal impact.