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What Exactly Is Standard English, Anyway?

As the Ebonics controversy continues into its second month, linguist Geoff Nunberg comments on standard English.

03:41
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Other segments from the episode on February 3, 1997

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, February 3, 1997: Interview with Vondie Curtis Hall; Interview with Helena Bonham Carter; Commentary on standard English.
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21:47

"Gridlock'd" Director Vondie Curtis Hall

Actor Vondie Curtis Hall was raised in Detroit. He plays a doctor on the TV series "Chicago Hope" and has had roles in the movies "Broken Arrow," "Passion Fish," and "Romeo and Juliet." His latest project is the writing and directing of the new film "Gridlock'd," a comedy about the troubles two men encounter when they make a pact to overcome their heroin addictions, starring Tim Roth and Tupak Shakur.

Interview
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19:10

Actress Helena Bonham Carter Moves Away from Period Films

Bonham Carter grew up and lives in London with her mother and father. Never formerly trained as an actress, she first began at the age of 16 in the film "Lady Jane." Now, at age 30, she's been in a number of films, including "Room With a View," "Howard's End," and Woody Allen's "Mighty Aphrodite." Her latest film, "Margaret's Museum," is a 1940's love story set in Nova Scotia.

Interview

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34:18

Linguist John McWhorter

John McWhorter's newest book is called The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language. He has written on Ebonics, language and African Americans, and the origins of the Creole Language. His other books include Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America and Word on the Street: Debunking the Myth of 'Pure' Standard English. McWhorter is a professor at the University of California at Berkeley.

Interview
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26:46

A Linguist Shows Respect for Black English

William Labov teaches at the University of Pennsylvania discusses Ebonics. He's been studying Black English for 30 years and traced the rules governing Black and White English. He also examined the differences between the two and explored the roots of the changes taking place in the languages.

Interview
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05:31

The Controversy Over Black English

Linguist Geoff Nunberg looks at the current debate surrounding black vernacular in school, which the Oakland school board has dubbed "Ebonics."

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