Word Crimes with John McWhorter and Preet Bharara

Make sense of the week’s biggest headlines with a CAFE Insider membership: https://bit.ly/CAFEInsider Why are pronouns like “they,” “you,” and “I” at the center of today’s culture wars? What does grammar reveal about politics, identity, and social change? In this episode of Stay Tuned with Preet, linguist and bestselling author John McWhorter joins Preet Bharara to discuss the politics of language and his latest book, Pronoun Trouble. They explore the deep cultural and political significance behind everyday words, and how gender-neutral pronouns, grammar rules, and evolving speech patterns have become lightning rods in American discourse. Topics include the history of pronouns like “thou” and “y’all,” the growing use of singular “they” as a nonbinary pronoun, and the broader implications of language reform, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) language policies, and linguistic identity in schools, media, and government. Whether you're a grammar nerd, a political junkie, or curious about how language shapes our world, this conversation offers a thoughtful take on why English may be due for an upgrade, and how small words carry big weight.