putative bidialectalism

[Wilson Gray]

On Oct 22, 2004, at 4:27 PM, RonButters at AOL.COM wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       RonButters at AOL.COM
> Subject:      putative bidialectalism
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
> In a message dated 10/22/04 3:47:34 PM, wilson.gray at RCN.COM writes:
>
>
>> FWIW, he is the best bi-dialectal speaker that I've ever heard,
>> including myself, and that's saying a taste. He's in a class with
>> Leonard Brezhnev's nameless personal interpreter, who's the best
>> bi-lingual speaker that I've ever heard.
>>
>
> Does this refer to Allan Metcalf or John Rickford? Both are very
> talented
> guys, and I THINK I know them both quite well. I've never heard either
> one speak
> in anything other than what I have always taken to be the same dialect,
> fundamentally, that he spoke at age 16 or so. The idea of Allan
> Metcalf doing rap or
> John Rickford doing Frank Sinatra is delightful, though, and I hope we
> can
> get them together for a duet in San Francisco in January. I'd
> particularly like
> to hear John's rendition of "My Way" and Allan's "Me So Horny."
>

My reference is to John Rickford. Once upon a time, I had a speaking
acquaintance with John, but that was a while ago.  If you mentioned my
name to him, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he replied that he had
no idea who I am. IAC, I have heard him speak before various audiences
and I've also chatted with him on a personal basis. I know nothing at
all about Allan Metcalf. His name means nothing to me. I've never heard
him speak a single syllable under any circumstances nor have I read
anything by him. As a consequence, I am unable to voice an opinion of
any kind regarding Mr./Dr./Prof. Metcalf.

Now, what is the point of your reply? That only your opinions based
upon your experiences are the only valid ones? Or is it your claim that
Rickford is unworthy of such praise?

-Wilson Gray