Gullah Geechee: Uniqueness and Resilience

This is an investigation into sociolinguistic the environment of the Gullah language and culture with educational implications and a call to action against the current injustice the Geechee people are facing. Before the work of Dr. Lorenzo Dow Turner, many disregarded the Gullah language as simply “baby talk.” However, once he discovered the African and early colonial influences in its lexicon, phonemes and grammatical features and demonstrated its uniqueness as a rule governed language, other linguistics began to build on his work. This paper will summarize that work and provide direction for educators. Finally, the reader will become familiarized with the current infringement on the Gullah land in South Carolina that is causing a modern day diaspora of the Gullah people.