John R. Rickford

John R. Rickford is the J.E. Wallace Sterling Professor of Linguistics and the Humanities at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in Education and as a Bass University Fellow in Undergraduate Education. He has been at Stanford since 1980. Rickford holds a BA (highest honors) in Sociolinguistics from UC Santa Cruz (1971) and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania (1979).

His research focuses on sociolinguistics, with expertise in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), creole languages, and language variation. He has authored/co-authored influential books like African American Vernacular English: Features, Evolution, Educational Implications (1999), Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English (2000, American Book Award winner), and Creole Genesis, Attitudes and Discourse (2000). His work bridges linguistic analysis with educational applications, advocating for the recognition of AAVE in teaching Standard English.

Rickford has received awards for distinguished teaching, including the Dean’s Award (1984) and Bing Fellowship (1992). He has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have pursued careers in linguistics, education, and related fields. His advocacy for linguistic equity and scholarship on Ebonics has been pivotal in public and academic discourse.

Key contributions include studies on the origins and sociopolitical dimensions of AAVE, creole genesis, and the role of linguistic diversity in education. His interdisciplinary approach integrates sociolinguistics, anthropology, and critical pedagogy, emphasizing the intersection of language and identity.