Journal #3

Langston Hughes was an American novelist who was also an editor, playwright and poet. Out of all his works, his poetry was the most well-known, especially his poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers". The music of the '20s and '30s influenced Hughes in his poetry. He used the rhythms of jazz and blues in his poems, creating a new style. Hughes also influenced other witers during the Harlem Renaissance. Over 47 volumes of his writings were published during his life. Many won awards, such as the Harmon Gold Medal for his first novel, Not Without Laughter. Langston Hughes died in 1967 at age 65.

Dialect Rules    

Pronunciation:

•  The "h" at the beginning of words is silent 
•  The "th" sound is pronounced as a "z" sound
•  The "i" sound is pronounced as a long "ee" sound

 Language:

• "Sa" means "Yes"
• "Galon" means "Thank you for your help"
• "Fi angan" means "I'm not hungry at this moment" 

Grammar:

•  No contractions
• When asking questions, the subject comes before the verb (Instead of "What do you want to eat?", the question becomes "You want to eat what?"
• Statements end in "no", such as "I think that looks nice, no?"

Langston Hughes stared at the blank sheet of paper on his desk, trying to figure out the next subject of his poem when he heard a knock on the door. Sighing, he got up and walked over to the door. As he opened it, he noticed a small man standing on his doorstep. “‘Ello,” the man said, “my name ees ‘Ector. Your name ees what?” Langston was surprised. He had never heard anyone talk like that before.

“Hello, my name is Langston Hughes. May I ask what brings you here?”

“Pleased to meet you.” Hector said. “I zeenk you can help me, no?”

Langston was impatient to get back to writing and wanted to get rid of Hector fast. “Well, that depends what you want help with. What is it?”

Hector responded, “Fi angan, I am lost in zees ceety and I cannot find a grocery store.”

Langston let out a sigh of relief. At least this wouldn’t take too long. “There’s an Albertson’s on

163^rd Avenue

. Do you know how to get there?”

“Sa, I zeenk so. One takes zee

Oak Street

and zen turns left and zen right, no?”

“Well, not quite.” Langston said. “You take Oak, and then turn right on

River Lane

and then another right and then a left. Albertson’s should be on your right. Do you have that?”

Hector nodded. “Sa, I know eet now. New York ees a most eenteresting city, no?”

“Yes, yes, I suppose. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must be getting back to writing.” Langston began to shut the door.

“Wait, wait! You want anyzing for helping me?” Hector asked. “Eet ees ze least I could do, no?”

“I really am fine. I don’t need a reward for helping. I have a poem to write you see, and I would like to get back to it-”  

“You are ze most charmeeng man. Galon, I shall see you at a later time, no?”

“Um, yes, perhaps. Bye, Hector!” Langston shut the door. The time hadn’t all been wasted. He now had an idea for the poem he was writing.