Our Own Language / Lang a nou
Harnessing the Power of Kreyòl and Other Mother Tongues for Education and Liberation / Kreyòl ak lòt lang manman se zo
$65.98
- Paperback
360 pages
- Release Date
13 October 2026
Summary
Our Own Language explores the weaponization of language for neocolonialism, specifically the suppression of Haitian Creole, and argues why mother tongues are indispensable for universal access to quality education.
The book addresses the intricate relationship between language, power, and education, focusing on the historical and ongoing suppression of Haitian Creole (Kreyòl) in Haiti in favor of French. It contends that this linguistic oppression serves as a tool for neocolonialism, …
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780262053228 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0262053225 |
| Author: | Michel Degraff |
| Publisher: | MIT Press Ltd |
| Imprint: | MIT Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 360 |
| Release Date: | 13 October 2026 |
| Weight: | 369g |
| Dimensions: | 152mm x 229mm |
You Can Find This Book In
Critics Review
“A bold, lucid defense of Haitian Creole as foundation of democracy and sovereignty. DeGraff exposes linguistic exclusion as neocolonial control while affirming Kreyòl’s intellectual legitimacy and emancipatory power for Haiti’s future.” / “Pledwaye sa a gen jèvrin e li klè kon dlo kokoye. Li mande pou lang kreyòl la sèvi kòm sa dwa kòm fondasyon pou demokrasi ak souverènte ann Ayiti. DeGraff denonse baryè lengwistik ki sèvi kòm zam pou dominasyon neyo-kolonyal epi li kore lejitimite ak pouvwa lang kreyòl la kòm fondasyon konesans, libète ak demen miyò ann Ayiti.”
—Dr. Jean Casimir, former Professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences, The University of Haiti; author of The Haitians: A Decolonial History / Doktè Jean Casimir, Pwofesè nan Fakilte Syans Moun, Inivèsite Leta Ayiti; otè liv The Haitians: A Decolonial History
“An unflinching Haitian clapback to linguistic oppression, this book reclaims Haitian Creole against a colonial and linguistic system that denied Haitian children the right to their mother tongue in school.” / “Liv sa a pa fè bak devan okenn verite. Li pote repons ki chaje ak repondong kont gwojemoni lengwistik. Li revandike lang kreyòl Ayiti a kòm zouti pou kaba yon sistèm lengwistik kolonyal ki depafini dwa ke ti moun yo genyen pou yo pale lang matènèl yo sou ban lekòl.”
—Dr. April Baker-Bell, Associate Professor of Language, Culture, and Justice in Education at the University of Michigan; author of Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy / Doktè April Baker-Bell, Pwofesè Asosye sou Lang, Kilti ak Jistis nan Edikasyon nan Inivèsite Michigan; otè liv Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy
Michel Degraff
Michel DeGraff is Faculty at Large at MIT’s School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Previously, he was with the MIT Department of Linguistics and Philosophy for 28 years, starting in 1996.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.