Talkin that Talk

"A thoroughly engaging collection, intelligently conceived, and well presented. Smitherman is a force in her field, a true leader, a pioneer. Strongly recommended for all academic and public libraries."-"Choice, March 2000 ..."Witty, often acerbic...No one who is interested in the sway of language over class and culture should miss this book."-"Publisher's Weekly, November 15, 1999 "A central cultural site for debates along America's racial divide is the issue of language. For several decades, Geneva Smitherman has been the preeminent scholar of African-American language and culture. Her impressive body of scholarly research has educated and informed an entire generation of African-Americans on the meaning of black language. Dr. Smitherman writes with power as well as grace. She provokes and challenges readers to rethink the complicated relationship between language and power within society. In the great tradition of African-American scholars such as W.E.B. DuBois and Carter G. Woodson, Dr. Smitherman grounds her analysis in a passionate commitment to the liberation of her people. "Talkin' that Talk presents her impressive intellectual vision that examines the issue of language rights for African-Americans."-Manning Marable, Director, Institute for Research in African-American Studies, Columbia University "This work represents the strength and development of one of the leading scholars in the area of African American language study and politics. In this very important collection, Geneva Smitherman chronicles and celebrates the political, cultural and educational history of African American speech."-Marcyliena Morgan, Harvard University "This is the bookwe have been waiting for: an intelligent, engaging and persuasive discussion of African American language within its cultural and political context."-Mary Bucholz, Texas A & M University