'LOL' is one of several texting expressions that convey nuance in a system where you don't have the voice and face to do it the way you normally would. Download Download Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Rotate quotes convey expression face
Ebonics - or black English, as I prefer to call it - is one of a great many dialects of English. And so English comes in a great many varieties, and black English is one of them. John McWhorter blackcalldialect Change image and share on social
Every third person in the world is a drama queen. And crying 'victim,' especially when you're not really a victim in any real way, feels good. It feels good to cry victim if you're not one. John McWhorter crydramafelt Change image and share on social
The contribution of West African languages to Ebonics is absolutely infinitesimal. What it actually is is a very interesting hybrid of regional dialects of Great Britain that slaves in America were exposed to because they often worked alongside the indentured servants who spoke those dialects that we often learn about in school. John McWhorter absolutelyafricanalongside share on social
Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process. Bruce Babbitt agoamericancongratulate Change image and share on social
Las Vegas is the expression, in glitter and concrete, of America's brittle and mutating id. John Burdett americabrittleconcrete Change image and share on social
You make your first album, you make some money, and you feel like you still have to show face, like 'I still go to the projects.' I'm like, why? Your job is to inspire people from your neighborhood to get out. You grew up there. What makes you think it's so cool? Jay-Z albumcoolface share on social