Holloway, Joseph E. & Winifred K. Vass. The African Heritage of American English. Indiana Univ. Pr. Feb. 1993. c.240p. photogs. maps. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-253-32838-1. $24.95.
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The English language has depended heavily on linguistic borrowing of grammar and words from many other languages. Here, Holloway and Vass set out to show just how American English has been enriched by African languages. The authors relied on some previous scholarship but also conducted their own extensive research. As a result, they discovered that the Gullah dialect of the Southeastern United States contains a core Bantu lexicon of 35.2 percent, though linguistic connections to many other language are also evident. The authors consider not only compiled word lists but also social customs like traditional naming practices. Gullah speakers, for instance, have two and sometimes three distinct names: an English one for public use, an African one for private family use, and a characteristic "community" name. Impressive research and attention to detail makes this book a valuable addition to African American subject collections in academic libraries. Though technical, public library patrons will also benefit from this book.

Kevin M. Roddy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo