Talk of the Nation, March 10, 2009 · In January, then President-elect Barack Obama visited Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. When the cashier asked him if he wanted his change, he replied "Nah, we straight." [more]
I have been posting the link to this program far and wide, and I encourage anyone who enjoys language to take a few moments to listen. Dawn Turner Trice's brilliant and engaging discussion of adapting one's speech to best reach a specific audience--while still being 'true' or genuine--goes right to the heart of rhetoric.
I am particularly fond of Turner Trice's discussion about negotiating multiple discourse communities and understanding what grounds the nuances and vernaculars--and the dangers of mimesis when the speaker fails to understand the culture from which a particlar idiom, cadence, figure, or syntax emerges. As one caller to the program pointed out, the attempt at mimesis can be cause for embarassment or controversy: she recalled a moment from the recent campaign in which Mike Huckabee's use of the term "bling bling" and his awkard "Who let the dogs out-woof" chaser when attempting to align himself with an African-American community. Of course, examples like these from our political characters participating in their favorite sport--pandering--abound. Recall that Hillary Clinton's surprising and affected dialect when quoting a gospel hymn in a Southern Black church sparked a national debate.
So how far is too far? Well, I suppose it depends on the speaker's level of rhetorical awareness and the audience's acceptance or repudiation of the speaker's use of language, or how well the speaker understands and employs the nuances and conventions of a vernacular or dialect. Of course, I am reminded here of Shirley Brice Heath's treatment of language as a cultural artifact, as a 'culture carrier' inseparable from its community of origin. Her treatment of language, much like Turner Trice's, still awes me.
Anyway, Turner Trice really captured my attention on today's Talk of the Nation . As one who was raised at the crossroads of two rather colorful vernaculars, two distinct dialects-- Yinz know, where Pittsburgese n'at meets that good ol' West-by-Gosh-Virgina Mountaineer twang--and who spent three years living in 'da U.P., eh' and the last five living in 'Sconnie (that's prononced "scaah-nee," in case y'all didn't know), I have an appreciation for Turner Trice's commentary that goes beyond a professional interest in rhetoric.
All this to say, "A great broadcast." Fascinating, enjoyable, and highly recommended. Listen and enjoy!
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