Grand Am
Summary
John McWhorter explores the history of the verb "am" in Black English, using a Famous Studios cartoon as a segue. He argues that the "am" construction was not a minstrel stereotype but a genuine feature of Southern dialects, citing evidence from WPA interviews, historical grammars, and a 1929 newsreel of a white Southern woman. McWhorter concludes that this usage likely originated in rural white Southern English and was adopted by Black speakers, challenging the long-held belief that it was purely a caricature.
Topics discussed
Intro: Famous Studios cartoons and the verb 'to be'
The Famous Studios opening theme song
The minstrel stereotype of 'am' in Black English
Buzzy the Crow and 1950s cartoon stereotypes
Challenging the idea that 'am' was invented
WPA ex-slave interviews and 'am' usage
Sponsor reads: Vinted and LinkedIn
Literary and grammatical evidence of 'am'
A white minister's transcription of a Black preacher
Southern Black English vs. Northern dialects
Audio recordings: Irene Williams and 'am'
Critique of the single audio example
British 'Yim Yams' and rural dialects
Anne Royal's 1800s account of white Southerners
1929 newsreel: Rebecca Latimer Felton
Analysis of Felton's use of 'am'
Conclusion: 'Am' was a real dialect feature
Linguistic exchange between white and Black Southerners
Call for listener evidence and sign-off
Listen ad-free on Castria