Language and Life on Ocracoke

“An exploration into the once-prominent dialect now only spoken by a few hundred on the [Ocracoke] island. . . . There’s a real love of the community and people who live there.”—Coastal Review

“Well-researched, the writing is not the stuffy academic style. . . . This is a book for readers of all levels.”—Ocracoke Observer

“The authors have crafted a very readable, thoroughly researched, and engaging narrative.”—North Carolina Historical Review

“A full portrait of life, voice, and work in a colorful, in many ways unique community. What makes this study so interesting, entertaining, and valuable is the way that it successfully combines history, linguistics, social and cultural analysis, and the drama of local characters. The book feeds the natural human curiosity we all have about how and why people speak the way that they do.” —Lucinda H. MacKethan, North Carolina State University

“The authors explored nearly every facet of the island’s life and language to present a picture that captures not only the interesting features that linguists will appreciate but also a vision of people, of tradition, and of culture that attempts to pay back the locals for sharing their language. They do so in a way that is accessible and enjoyable to read.”—Jennifer Cramer, University of Kentucky