hel-06 study questions for mccrum’s story of english prepared by dr. david f. maas

8/9/2019 HEL-06 Study Questions for McCrums Story of English Prepared by Dr. David F. Maas

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The Story of EnglishThe Story of EnglishChapter 06Chapter 06


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The Story of English Chapter 06The Story of English Chapter 06

1. What was the target of the satire of the1. What was the target of the satire of the

1830 caricature published in Philadelphia?1830 caricature published in Philadelphia?

209:01209:01 Black imitations of White SocietyBlack imitations of White Society

Represented what he took to be BlackRepresented what he took to be Black

speechspeech

Shall I had de honor to dance de nextShall I had de honor to dance de next

quadrille wid you, Miss Minta?quadrille wid you, Miss Minta?


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2. Identify some of the African expressions2. Identify some of the African expressions

which have enriched the Englishwhich have enriched the English

language? 209:03language? 209:03 VoodooVoodoo

ToteTote

BanjoBanjo JukeJuke

BananaBanana


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3. Identify some artistic mediums which3. Identify some artistic mediums which

have drawn enrichment from Blackhave drawn enrichment from Black

English.210:03English.210:03Negro SpiritualsNegro Spirituals

Rock n rollRock n roll


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4. Why does the editor consider the stigma4. Why does the editor consider the stigma

of Black English as ironic? 210:05of Black English as ironic? 210:05

The first English they would have heardThe first English they would have heardhas become the basis of the Black Englishhas become the basis of the Black English

to this dayto this day


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5. Illustrate how the slave trade spread the5. Illustrate how the slave trade spread the

English language to three continents.English language to three continents.

210:06210:06 British ships (with cotton goods andBritish ships (with cotton goods and

Bibles) from Bristol to West Coast of AfricaBibles) from Bristol to West Coast of Africa

Exchanged cargo for Black slaves to sugarExchanged cargo for Black slaves to sugar

bowl of Caribbeanbowl of Caribbean

Sold to plantation owners.Sold to plantation owners.


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6. Where does one find the only6. Where does one find the only

monument to human cargo in Bristol?monument to human cargo in Bristol?

211:07211:07 St. Marys ChurchSt. Marys Church

Tomb of Scipio AfricanusTomb of Scipio Africanus


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7. Provide the etymologies or origins for7. Provide the etymologies or origins for

the wordsthe words PidginPidgin andand Creole.212Creole.212:09:09

Pidgin Chinese pronunciation of businessPidgin Chinese pronunciation of businessCreole from Portuguese crioulo meaningCreole from Portuguese crioulo meaning

slave born in masters household.slave born in masters household.


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8. Identify two simplifying characteristics of8. Identify two simplifying characteristics of

Black English and English Pidgin. 213:10Black English and English Pidgin. 213:10

Omission of verbs like is:Omission of verbs like is: You out the gameYou out the game

The dropping of presentThe dropping of present tense inflectionstense inflections

, as in :, as in :He fast in everything he do.He fast in everything he do.


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9. Identify and explain one useful9. Identify and explain one useful

refinement of Black English whichrefinement of Black English which

Standard English lacks.213:10Standard English lacks.213:10Use of be to signify a stable condition in aUse of be to signify a stable condition in a

sentencesentence

He be workingHe be working


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10. Recount Cotton Mathers story about10. Recount Cotton Mathers story about

the Small Pox inoculation whichthe Small Pox inoculation which

demonstrated the presence of Pidgindemonstrated the presence of PidginEnglish. 213:11English. 213:11

People take Juice of Small pox; and CuttyPeople take Juice of Small pox; and Cutty

skin, and Putt in a Drop; then by and by askin, and Putt in a Drop; then by and by a

little Sickylittle Sicky--sicky.sicky.


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11. How did Pidgin English spread from11. How did Pidgin English spread from

China to Hawaii to Melanesia? 213:12China to Hawaii to Melanesia? 213:12

West African pidgin developed on boardWest African pidgin developed on boardshipship--would have taken the same ships andwould have taken the same ships and

sailors to China Seas, Hawaii, andsailors to China Seas, Hawaii, and

Melanesia.Melanesia.


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12. Explain the biblical allusion to the 12. Explain the biblical allusion to the

Tower of Babel regarding the slaveTower of Babel regarding the slave

trade.215:14.trade.215:14.William SmithWilliam Smith A New Voyage to GuineaA New Voyage to Guinea

having some of every sort on board, having some of every sort on board,

there will be no more Likelihood of theirthere will be no more Likelihood of their

succeeding in a Plot, than of finishing thesucceeding in a Plot, than of finishing the

Tower of Babel.Tower of Babel.


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13. What role did Pidgin English fill in the13. What role did Pidgin English fill in the

painful rebuilding of a shattered world?painful rebuilding of a shattered world?

215:17215:17 Pidgin English , borrowed from the sailors,Pidgin English , borrowed from the sailors,

became the slave lingua franca.became the slave lingua franca.


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14. What custom of Chief Alanth II of14. What custom of Chief Alanth II of

Sierra Leone has become preserved in theSierra Leone has become preserved in the

Black church communities of the AmericanBlack church communities of the American

South? 216:19South? 216:19

He is deeply respected by his people as aHe is deeply respected by his people as a

wise talker, as a man of wordswise talker, as a man of words


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15. What language has your editor15. What language has your editor

described as the most efficient form ofdescribed as the most efficient form of

communication in Sierra Leone? 217:20communication in Sierra Leone? 217:20

Creole is probably the most efficient formCreole is probably the most efficient form

of communication.of communication.


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16. Where, according to your editor, dwell16. Where, according to your editor, dwell

the most accomplished linguists in thethe most accomplished linguists in the

world? 217:20world? 217:20

Most Africans will know at least threeMost Africans will know at least three

languages. They are among the mostlanguages. They are among the most

accomplished linguists in the world.accomplished linguists in the world.


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17. Illustrate how African Creole shows an17. Illustrate how African Creole shows an

elaborate ruleelaborate rule--governed structure. 219:21governed structure. 219:21

Him go means he goesHim go means he goesHim done go means he wentHim done go means he went

Him binna go means he was goingHim binna go means he was going


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18. Identify the components of Caribbean18. Identify the components of Caribbean

Creole. 219:23Creole. 219:23

English, French, Spanish, an AfricanEnglish, French, Spanish, an Africanlanguage , and Portuguese.language , and Portuguese.


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19. Explain the variety of English the19. Explain the variety of English the

Miskito Indians of Nicaragua speak.Miskito Indians of Nicaragua speak.

219:24219:24

Speech of the 17Speech of the 17thth and 18and 18thth century Britishcentury British

settlers.settlers.


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20. Why has Barbados sometimes20. Why has Barbados sometimes

received the label Little England? 220:26received the label Little England? 220:26

Still have a reputation for wellStill have a reputation for well--spokenspokenrespectability , and Bajan creole is muchrespectability , and Bajan creole is much

closer to Standard English than Jamaicancloser to Standard English than Jamaican

creole.creole.


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21. Identify the language roots of21. Identify the language roots of

Barbados English. 220:26Barbados English. 220:26

Element of Irish and Scots English, greatlyElement of Irish and Scots English, greatlyinfluenced by the African syntax andinfluenced by the African syntax and

vocabulary.vocabulary.


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22. Identify some Africanisms that survive22. Identify some Africanisms that survive

in Barbados. 221:27in Barbados. 221:27

Bassa bassa is a Twi word for noise.Bassa bassa is a Twi word for noise.


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23. Explain the process by which the23. Explain the process by which the

plantation owners gradually learn to useplantation owners gradually learn to use

Bajan Pidgin. 222:28Bajan Pidgin. 222:28

Speak a simple plain languageSpeak a simple plain language

Get into habit of using phrases not strictlyGet into habit of using phrases not strictly

correctcorrect

Influences language.Influences language.


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24. Illustrate how speech habits change as24. Illustrate how speech habits change as

people move from one speech communitypeople move from one speech community

to another. 222:29to another. 222:29

People moving from island to island,People moving from island to island,

putting different stresses on words andputting different stresses on words and

syllables.syllables.


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25. Why has Gullah survived on Sullivan25. Why has Gullah survived on Sullivan

Island? 224:30Island? 224:30

Sullivan Islands has been called the EllisSullivan Islands has been called the EllisIsland for the BlacksIsland for the Blacks

Because of its isolated location.Because of its isolated location.


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26. How many Africanisms did Lorenzo26. How many Africanisms did Lorenzo

Turner identify in Gullah? Give one ofTurner identify in Gullah? Give one of

them. 224:32them. 224:32

6,000 Africanisms6,000 Africanisms

Thank Godem be here. And I love allem,Thank Godem be here. And I love allem,

allus love the children.allus love the children.


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27. What caused Gullah to become27. What caused Gullah to become

assimilated perhaps more than any otherassimilated perhaps more than any other

factor? 225:37factor? 225:37

The negro dialect, as we know it today,The negro dialect, as we know it today,

seems to have been formulated by theseems to have been formulated by the

songsong--writers for the minstrel shows;writers for the minstrel shows;


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28. Identify some expressions which have28. Identify some expressions which have

survived since the time of slavery. 228:39survived since the time of slavery. 228:39

Slave laborSlave labor Slave driverSlave driver

Sell down the river.Sell down the river.


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29.Illustrate, from Dillards example, how29.Illustrate, from Dillards example, how

Black English has influenced SouthernBlack English has influenced Southern

White English. 230White English. 230--31:4831:48

The soThe so--called implosive consonantcalled implosive consonant in thein the

pronunciation of a word likepronunciation of a word like bill.bill.


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30. How, according to your editor, did30. How, according to your editor, did

Black English influence the SouthernBlack English influence the Southern

Regional Dialect. 231:50Regional Dialect. 231:50

Whites learned to speak broken English,Whites learned to speak broken English,

and in spite of losing much time inand in spite of losing much time in

unlearning ungrammatical phrases, wellunlearning ungrammatical phrases, well--

educated persons retain some of them alleducated persons retain some of them alltheir lives.their lives.


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31. Why did the speech habits of Southern31. Why did the speech habits of Southern

White women reflect the patterns of BlackWhite women reflect the patterns of Black

Dialect more than Southern White men?Dialect more than Southern White men?

231:51231:51

The children of the owners, brought upThe children of the owners, brought up

among them [ the slaves] acquire theiramong them [ the slaves] acquire their

Negro mode of talking.Negro mode of talking.


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32. Identify Black expressions in music32. Identify Black expressions in music

and slang. 233:52and slang. 233:52

Summertime an the livin is easy,Summertime an the livin is easy, Fish are jumpin an the cotton is high.Fish are jumpin an the cotton is high.

O yo Daddys rich an yo Ma isO yo Daddys rich an yo Ma is

goodlookingoodlookin

So hush little baby donyocry.So hush little baby donyocry.


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33. Identify some parallels between Black33. Identify some parallels between Black

and Cockney English.233:58and Cockney English.233:58

Both are exceptionally good at describingBoth are exceptionally good at describingthe nuances of personal relationships, ofthe nuances of personal relationships, of

feeling (anger and love), and of goodfeeling (anger and love), and of good

times.times.

Mate, man, cool, hipMate, man, cool, hip


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34. Explain how Nat Turner made use of34. Explain how Nat Turner made use of

hymns as covert propaganda. 235:60.hymns as covert propaganda. 235:60.

The tradition of double meanings in songsThe tradition of double meanings in songshad been established and was to flourishhad been established and was to flourish

in later flowerings of Black music.in later flowerings of Black music.


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35. Illustrate the subversive aspect of35. Illustrate the subversive aspect of

Black English in some current slangBlack English in some current slang

expressions. 236:61expressions. 236:61

UglyUgly for beautifulfor beautiful

BadBad very goodvery good

MeanMean excellentexcellent


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36. Identify the etymology of the term36. Identify the etymology of the term

Jazz. 236:62Jazz. 236:62

The word was used by Blacks to meanThe word was used by Blacks to meanspeed upspeed up

Double meaningsDouble meanings-- covert sexualitycovert sexuality


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37. Explain the connotative drift which has37. Explain the connotative drift which has

occurred with the wordoccurred with the word uptight.uptight. 236:63236:63

Too much spontaneity could destroy theToo much spontaneity could destroy thespontaneity of a performance.spontaneity of a performance.

If you cant improvise, you are uptight.If you cant improvise, you are uptight.


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38. Identify food words in Black English38. Identify food words in Black English

which suggest hidden expressions for sex.which suggest hidden expressions for sex.

237:64237:64

Jelly rollJelly roll

I got a sweet jelly, a lovin sweet jelly roll.I got a sweet jelly, a lovin sweet jelly roll.

If you taste my jelly itll satisfy your worriedIf you taste my jelly itll satisfy your worried

soul.soul.


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39. Why does your editor claim that few39. Why does your editor claim that few

words in the Black English lexicon whichwords in the Black English lexicon which

has more sexual evocation thanhas more sexual evocation than jelly roll.jelly roll.

237:65237:65

Jelly refers to the meat of the coconutJelly refers to the meat of the coconut

when it is still at a white, viscous stage,when it is still at a white, viscous stage,

and in a form closely resembling semen.and in a form closely resembling semen.


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40. Explain the significance of the40. Explain the significance of the

expressionexpression uptown.uptown. 238:63238:63

In those days, the whites traveledIn those days, the whites traveled uptownuptownto see the shows.to see the shows.


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41. Where, according to Albert Murray, is41. Where, according to Albert Murray, is

the roots ofthe roots ofjive talk?jive talk?238:68238:68

Its derived from down home speechIts derived from down home speech Its the Southern musician moving into theIts the Southern musician moving into the

North which made the difference.North which made the difference.


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42. Identify four or five expressions from42. Identify four or five expressions from

jivejive talktalkwhich have entered thewhich have entered the

standard vocabulary. 240:69standard vocabulary. 240:69

Hummer :exceptionally goodHummer :exceptionally good

Beat : exhaustedBeat : exhausted

Groovy: fineGroovy: fine

Have a ball: to enjoy yourself.Have a ball: to enjoy yourself.


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43. Explain the evolution of the Amos and43. Explain the evolution of the Amos and

Andy Show and how the idiom of BlackAndy Show and how the idiom of Black

English became imitated. 242:73English became imitated. 242:73

Became imitated in the population at large.Became imitated in the population at large.

Holy Mackerel, AndyHoly Mackerel, Andy


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44. Illustrate how much of the vocabulary44. Illustrate how much of the vocabulary

of the drug culture has derived from Blackof the drug culture has derived from Black

English. 243:76English. 243:76

StonedStoned

Get bustedGet busted

HeavyHeavy


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45. Explain the irony of Black Musical45. Explain the irony of Black Musical

Slang introduced into Liverpool (via theSlang introduced into Liverpool (via the

Beatles). 243:76Beatles). 243:76

Cool and heavyCool and heavy

Beatles came from the old slave port ofBeatles came from the old slave port of

Liverpool.Liverpool.


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46. Account for the traditional respect paid46. Account for the traditional respect paid

to the Man of Words in the Blackto the Man of Words in the Black

community. 227:78community. 227:78

Long standing oral tradition virtuallyLong standing oral tradition virtually

unknown outside the Black Communityunknown outside the Black Community

Chief known for being a man of wordsChief known for being a man of words

Transferred to the ministerTransferred to the minister


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47. Identify some words which have come out of47. Identify some words which have come out of

the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. 246:81the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. 246:81

Black EnglishBlack English

Black StudiesBlack Studies

Black PowerBlack Power

sitsit--inin

BackBack--lashlash NittyNitty--grittygritty


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48. Where did Black English acquire its48. Where did Black English acquire its

label? 246:82label? 246:82

Acquired its label from the Civil rightsAcquired its label from the Civil rightsMovementMovement

Later from the work of William LabovLater from the work of William Labov

William StewartWilliam Stewart

J. L. DillardJ. L. Dillard


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49. Explain the point of view of Constance49. Explain the point of view of Constance

Clayton regarding Black English.245:83Clayton regarding Black English.245:83

I consider Black English as a dialect of a I consider Black English as a dialect of aparticular ethnic groupparticular ethnic group-- the Blacks. Ithe Blacks. I

consider it incorrect English.consider it incorrect English.


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50. Explain the significance of the court50. Explain the significance of the court

decision in Detroit and Ann Arbor in 1979.decision in Detroit and Ann Arbor in 1979.

247:85247:85

Became the first American school systemBecame the first American school system

ordered by the courts to take the Blackordered by the courts to take the Black

English of the schoolchildren into accountEnglish of the schoolchildren into account

when planning the curriculum.when planning the curriculum.


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51. Identify Black public figures who have51. Identify Black public figures who have

voluntarily eradicated Black Speechvoluntarily eradicated Black Speech

characteristics.248:08characteristics.248:08

Wilson GoodeWilson Goode

Barack ObamaBarack Obama


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52. Identify Black English break dancing52. Identify Black English break dancing

terms which have made their way into theterms which have made their way into the

slang of White children. 248:87slang of White children. 248:87

Funky freshFunky fresh

Maxing for relaxingMaxing for relaxing

Crib for your houseCrib for your house

Chill means to cold shoulderChill means to cold shoulder


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53. Explain the unique skills of Perry P,53. Explain the unique skills of Perry P,

the Voice Master. 249: 88the Voice Master. 249: 88

He can improvise like a ghetto Homer forHe can improvise like a ghetto Homer forup to fifty minutes at a stretch.up to fifty minutes at a stretch.


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54. Identify the common denominator of54. Identify the common denominator of

the chief, mayor, rapper 250:89the chief, mayor, rapper 250:89

Chief, preacher, mayor rapperChief, preacher, mayor rapper-- in onein onesense, theres no distinction; they are allsense, theres no distinction; they are all

part of the same traditionpart of the same tradition-- the man ofthe man of

words.words.

hel-06 study questions for mccrum’s story of english prepared by dr. david f. maas

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