Stephen Colbert - Guest Columbia University linguistics professor and bestselling author John McWhorter

[Rhiannon12866]

It's Not Fair That "Y'all" Is Considered Slang - John McWhorter

Columbia University linguistics professor and bestselling author John McWhorter discusses some of the quirks of the English language and explains why one of Stephen's favorite Southern words will always be considered slang. McWhorter's book "Pronoun Trouble" is available now.

[TommyT139]

1. His suggestion to clarify the singular "they"

...is to capitalize it when written. It's a good idea, I think -- we're used to captalizing "I," and there's history of capitalizing other pronouns in English. Here's his recent essay in the NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/opinion/pronouns-they-language-capital.html

https://archive.ph/a6Jjf

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I agree - and thanks so much!

[TommyT139]

3. You're welcome!

He has a few other columns on adjacent topics, some below this essay. In the archived page, you can right-click/long-press to open up that link in another tab, archived already (if it's in their system). Master key to the rabbit hole!

On most topics I find him a bit too conservative, but he's got a good workaround here. And as a conservative, he's well-placed to help move acceptance of nonbinary pronouns forward -- the ones he likes, anyway!

[littlemissmartypants]

4. He is really interesting! Thanks for sharing this, Rhi! ❤️

[Rhiannon12866]

5. Thanks! And I agree, I've seen him before and he's very interesting, smart and has a sense of humor...

[littlemissmartypants]

6. You're welcome! ❤️

[rampartd]

7. he is as funny as many comedians

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Thank you for giving me a head's up! I wouldn't have seen this!!

You are right, I LOVE John McWhorter. I have already read that book...tore through it in three days! If no one has read his books, do! They aren't overly complicated. Even better, choose audible because he reads his own books and his tone and inflection will crack you up!

Personally, I think the democrats should hire him as a consultant, especially in these days of "OH NO! You can't say that!!!!" As I recall, I could be wrong, I think he has a few articles on propagandized language and how it is used. If not him, then we should look into finding an expert in language use and propaganda....ASAP!

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Thanks! I knew you'd love his appearance - and Colbert obviously did, too!

And I listen to most books in my car, President Carter, Mary Trump, Liz Cheney (all who I recommend), so I'll have to look for John McWhorter, too! And I completely agree that the Democrats could use a language expert and he is the best - since he could interpret what the Republicans are really trying to say, especially TFG...