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The False Crisis of Poor Enunciation

Linguist Geoff Nunberg says that the attention paid to how people talk says more about class status and regionalism than a decline in effective communication. He explains.

03:51
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Other segments from the episode on July 4, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, July 4, 1990: Interview with Bob Kane; Commentary on Ray Charles; Interview with Ben Vaughn; Commentary on enunciation.
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22:44

Batman Creator Bob Kane

Kane says his inspirations for the iconic superhero included drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and Zorro. He designed Batman to be more relatable than Superman; Bruce Wayne may be rich and strong, but he's also mortal. Kane recently worked as a consultant on Tim Burton's new film adaptation, and has a new autobiography, called Batman & Me.

Interview
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06:56

A Great Blues Talent Among the Imitators

Shortly after Ray Charles endured a family tragedy, he started to go blind. His mother feared for his future, but Charles was able to make a career in music. Rock historian Ed Ward describes how Charles, who was steeped in the tradition of Nat King Cole, developed his own unique voice.

Commentary

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22:06

The Final Day Robert MacNeil Hosts "The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour."

Television anchor and author Robert MacNeil. He steps down tonight as co-anchor of the PBS news show The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour. Terry talked with him this week. We'll hear that interview and one from 1989. His books include, Wordstruck, a memoir that explores the roots of MacNeil's fascination with language and the best-selling The Story of English. (Contains excerpt of MacNeil's March 14, 1989 interview).

Interview
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09:32

A "Wordstruck" Journalist's New Memoir

Robert MacNeil hosts the Newshour program with Jim Lehrer. His latest book is about how his childhood experiences led him to a career in the news, and the importance of language and diction in his professional life.

Interview
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06:00

Presidents and Pronunciation: Going 'Nucular'

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about presidents and language, and the pronunciation of nuclear as "nucular," a mispronunciation that dates all the way back to the era of Eisenhower. The underlying cognitive causes and social implications are considered.

Commentary

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