John H. McWhorter
John H. McWhorter
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
John Herman McWhorter Jr.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 10, 1965
Nationality and Profession(s)
American linguist, cognitive scientist, and commentator
Early Life and Background
John H. McWhorter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a family of modest means. His early life would later shape his perspectives on language and culture. Growing up, McWhorter was fascinated by the intricacies of words and their meanings, often finding himself lost in conversations about linguistics.
McWhorter's academic trajectory began at Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he studied English literature. However, it was during his time at Tufts University that he discovered his true passion for linguistics. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts and later pursued advanced degrees from Stanford University and New York University.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, McWhorter has made significant contributions to the fields of linguistics and cognitive science. One of his most notable achievements is his work on creole languages. He argued that these languages are not inherently simplistic or reduced, as previously thought, but rather complex and fully formed systems.
McWhorter's research also explores the relationship between language and culture. He has written extensively on the topic of linguistic evolution, contending that it is an ongoing process driven by social and cultural factors.
Notable Works or Actions
John McWhorter has authored numerous books on linguistics and cognitive science. Some of his notable works include:
The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language (1998)
Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries (2012)
* Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold Story of English (2009)
McWhorter has also been a vocal commentator on issues related to language and culture. He has written for various publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic.
Impact and Legacy
John McWhorter's work has had a profound impact on the fields of linguistics and cognitive science. His theories on creole languages have challenged prevailing assumptions and encouraged new perspectives on linguistic evolution.
McWhorter's writing style, which combines technical expertise with accessible language, has made complex ideas more approachable for a broad audience. His commitment to exploring the intersections of language, culture, and society has inspired new generations of researchers and scholars.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John McWhorter is widely quoted and remembered due to his ability to distill complex linguistic concepts into clear, engaging prose. His work continues to shape our understanding of language and its role in shaping human culture.
Quotes by John H. McWhorter
The only way that residual racist feelings could affect legislation, in my opinion, is through a lack of priorities, from not doing things.
English, however, is kinky. It has a predilection for dressing up like Welsh on lonely nights.
People have been warning us that language was going to the dogs ever since Latin started turning into French. Yet the dogs in question never seem to emerge yelping on the horizon.
Texting is very loose in its structure. No one thinks about capital letters or punctuation when one texts, but then again, do you think about those things when you talk?
People think of black English as ungrammatical, but it bears the same relationship to standard English as contemporary Hebrew does to ancient Hebrew.
A person you excuse from any genuine challenge is a person you do not truly respect.
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.
No longer can we measure compassion by how much we spend on poverty but how many people we help to lift out of poverty.