Professor Jeffrey Grogger Discusses the Relationship Between Speech Patterns and Wages

Harris Public Policy Professor Jeffrey Grogger was featured in the Chicago Tribune, discussing his research findings that wages for African American and Southern white workers are up to 20% lower than those for individuals who speak Standard American English.

“I’m sitting there thinking that I really don’t understand this guy [who speaks African American Vernacular English], and I’m thinking how out of touch can I be, but then to my surprise, the coach turns and says, I didn’t understand a word,” Grogger said. “And on the way home, I’m thinking what are the disadvantages of you growing up and speaking the native language in a way that people don’t even understand. Then I realized that this is probably not an isolated thing, and this is something that someone should probably be studying.”

Full coverage available at the Chicago Tribune.