John McWhorter

John McWhorter is a professor of linguistics at Columbia University and writes the 'Lexicon Valley' newsletter for the New York Times. As the author of over twenty books on language and race, he has established himself as one of America's most prominent public intellectuals, bringing complex linguistic concepts to mainstream audiences through his accessible and engaging approach.

McWhorter's work explores how language shapes thought, culture, and public discourse, challenging conventional wisdom about everything from text messaging to multilingualism. His research spans word evolution, language death, and the politics of speech, making these traditionally academic topics compelling and relevant to broader conversations about society and human communication.

Through his writing, teaching, and speaking, he demonstrates how understanding language can illuminate deeper truths about human behavior and social dynamics.