Special Event: Prof. John Rickford (Stanford) reads from his memoir Speaking my Soul: Race, Life and Language

When: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: David Sizer Lecture Theatre, Bancroft Building, Mile End

John Russell Rickford is a distinguished linguist and scholar, originally from Guyana, who built an impressive academic career at Stanford University, where he taught for nearly four decades. His work has been pivotal in the study of sociolinguistics, particularly regarding African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

In his memoir, Rickford reflects on significant moments in his personal and professional journey, exploring his racial identity through experiences like visiting the South Carolina Sea Islands and Ghana. His encounters with civil rights icons such as Huey P. Newton, Rosa Parks, and South African activist Dennis Brutus—who was imprisoned alongside Nelson Mandela—underscore the depth of his engagement with historical and social justice movements.

Rickford has earned broad recognition for his contributions, serving as President of the Linguistic Society of America, and being honored with membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and as an international member of the British Academy. His work continues to influence discussions on language, race and identity worldwide.