The St. Thomas Historical Trust sponsors a lecture by University of the Virgin Islands professor Vincent O. Cooper, Ph.D. entitled “Where ‘Man Dem’ Come From: The History of Virgin Islands Vernacular.” It will be given at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28, at the V.I. Council on the Arts, in the Francois Building across from the Bornn law office on Norre Gade.
Dr. Vincent O. Cooper has written about the official languages and vernaculars of the Caribbean for over 30 years and earned his doctoral degree from Princeton University in 1979. Awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study Belizean language, he also has published several studies on Virgin Islands Dutch Creole. His research involves the music, creative writing, literature and orature of Caribbean people in the region. He has taught at Hunter College, Norfolk State University and Michigan State University.
Virgin Islands vernacular is the result of the influences of many distinct languages from Africa and Europe and has developed rapidly over the past 500 years. Dr. Cooper will lead his audience through the development from its earliest origins to the influences shaping communications today.
Please RSVP to directorstth@gmail.com so the St. Thomas Historical Trust can ensure that there will be enough space for all who wish to come.
For more information, call 774-5541 or e-mail execdirector@stthomashistoricaltrust.org
