Shange, Ntozake: 1948-2017
Betsey Brown, 1985 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Challenging, Poetic
- Vocabulary – Words and phrases reflect culture and speech patterns, not always formal grammar (e.g. “Gonna” / “wanna” – Informal contractions that mirror casual spoken English).
Language – Shange mixes standard English with African American Vernacular English (e.g. Shange: “She went to the store, she finna get some milk” = She went to the store to buy some milk).
Sentence structure – Many sentences are lyrical or fragmented, like poetry.
Overall Effect – Reading requires attention to rhythm, tone, and cultural context.
- Vocabulary – Words and phrases reflect culture and speech patterns, not always formal grammar (e.g. “Gonna” / “wanna” – Informal contractions that mirror casual spoken English).
- It’s challenging and poetic to understand because Shange mixes Standard English with African American Vernacular English, uses fragmented, lyrical sentences, and includes cultural references, so understanding depends on rhythm, voice, and context rather than just grammar.