{"product_id":"our-own-language-lang-a-nou","title":"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 \/\/ (Pre-order, Aug 4 2026)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn exploration of the weaponization of language for neocolonialism, specifically the suppression of Haitian Creole—and why mother tongues are indispensable for universal access to quality education.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eOur Own Language\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003eaddresses the age-old, intricate, and generative relationship between language, power, and education, with a particular focus on the historical and ongoing suppression of Haitian Creole (Kreyòl) in Haiti in favor of French—the language of the former colonizers. It argues that this linguistic oppression is a tool for neocolonialism, mental slavery, and the entrenchment of social-class divides, thus undermining human rights and nation-building.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichel DeGraff investigates the links between Haiti’s colonial and neocolonial history; the joint evolution of Creole languages and Creole studies; and how French in Haiti became a maker and marker of social hierarchies that exclude from education and governance those who speak Kreyòl only—that is, the majority of Haitians.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeGraff draws on his own personal experience as a child growing up in Haiti, on historical accounts, and on linguistic analyses. The book extends its scope beyond Haiti, examining similar linguistic injustices in other parts of the world and in other sectors of society, and challenges dominant narratives and practices about language and development, even among agencies such as UNESCO and the World Bank.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichel DeGraff \u003c\/strong\u003eis Faculty at Large at MIT's School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and formerly with the MIT Department of Linguistics and Philosophy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublisher: The MIT Press\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublish Date: August 04, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePages: 360\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEAN\/UPC: 9780262053228\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 9.0 X 6.0 X 0.0 inches | 0.8 pounds\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBISAC Categories: Education, History\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Michel DeGraff","offers":[{"title":"(Pre-order, Aug 4 2026) Paperback","offer_id":47984301310187,"sku":"9780262053228","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0253\/4014\/9820\/files\/9780262053228.webp?v=1774141312","url":"https:\/\/rep.club\/products\/our-own-language-lang-a-nou","provider":"Reparations Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}