Black Rhetoric/ Black Language: Discourse Strategies & Communication Styles--- by Carmen Kynard

Author: Dr. Carmen Kynard

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ikNoBj5wS80qYWk3JYkhdOvP5zRjRuIB/view

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Sep-18-24	Wording change

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Here are the definitions of rhetoric that we are working with:

the ways specific cultural meanings and histories are communicated, where attitudes toward life itself are central
the ways that stories, dance, sound, images, bodies, and everyday banter communicate belief systems, a sense of the past, notions of shared identity, political contexts, and communal aspirations

Part I: The Most Theorized and Discussed Aspects of Black Rhetoric

Strategy

Explanation of Discourse Strategy

Add comments answering these questions: What examples of this discourse strategy did you hear/feel? What's the communication philosophy? Purpose?

call-response and field-dependent

Rhetors become directly involved with their topics (also called direct address) and seem to be speaking to the audience. It is almost as if they are waiting for a response when they are asking questions. This is very different from using the traditional academic/ school convention of distancing yourself, staying neutral, or avoiding personal injections.

Signifyin' (or siggin)

This is the art of insult where humorous and/or decorous put-downs serve as an indirect form of serious criticism or casual joking. Such verbal indirection is also linked to cultural survivance as in the African American Spiritual during slavery, “Steal Away,” which referenced slave escapes as well as a heavenly home.

Tonal semantics

The sounds of things get captured through repetition, alliteration, and rhyme. Think of talk-singing and intonational stresses. With "intonational contouring," there are specific stresses and pitches in pronouncing certain words (like PO-lice for police).

Narrative sequencing

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children's These are meandering stories that are narrated right alongside a main story. Narrative sequencing remains a highly discussed aspect of Black children’s discourse styles since it often stigmatizes them. When asked to offer an explanation, Black children often tell a sequence of stories vs. a linear record (often regarded as an incorrect answer).

These are meandering stories that are narrated right alongside a main story. Narrative sequencing remains a highly discussed aspect of Black children’s discourse styles since it often stigmatizes them. When asked to offer an explanation, Black children often tell a sequence of stories vs. a linear record (often regarded as an incorrect answer).

Directness (related to field-dependence)

This is verbal aggression that is regarded as confrontational. In other words, these rhetors get all up-in-yo-face and forego more Westernized and fake-bourgeois notions of politeness and etiquette (and, therefore, not "appropriate" for academic/school/professional writing, etc).

Semantic Inversion

This refers to reversals in meaning. Rhetors bring attention and impact by using a term and yet meaning the exact opposite. In the 1980s, the most popular semantic version might have been: bad meaning good (i.e., that shirt is baaad is a HIGH compliment).

Part Il: More Units of Expression as Defined by Geneva Smitherman

Exaggerated Language

Unusual/ uncommon words, high talk, rarely used expressions

Mimicry

Imitations or mannerisms of someone else (for effect, ridicule, or authenticity)

Proverbial Statement & Aphoristic Phrasing

Sprinkling of a text with familiar Black proverbs or sayings

Punning & Play on Words

Use of common Black experiences to show verbal wit

Spontaneity & Improvisation

Use of spur-of-the-moment ideas, audience response, or new member participation

Image-Making & Metaphor

Use of images, metaphors, and imaginative language

Braggadocio

Boasts about one's abilities and selfhood

NOTE: The point is for these definitions to become a natural part of how you talk about and hear Black rhetoric/Black language. We use these definitions to build new vocabularies and understandings beyond the white teaching canons of ethos, pathos, logos, linearity, abstraction, distance, politeness, etc.

DMU Timestamp: September 09, 2024 22:20