Ep 10 - The Little Gullah Geechee Book with Dr. Jessica Berry

Ep 10 - The Little Gullah Geechee Book with Dr. Jessica Berry. In celebration of our 10th episode, what better way to celebrate than with an amazing Charleston native and talented renaissance woman. Nia Joy gets to chat with Dr. Jessica Berry about the Gullah Geechee language and culture, her new book and more things you probably did not know about as well as several misconceptions. You will enjoy this episode and our special guest's energy!

Dr. Jessica Berry is a Gullah Geechee native of Huger, South Carolina. She  is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist. She completed her Bachelors’ degree at Winthrop University and her Master’s degree at South Carolina State University in Speech Pathology and Audiology.  Her doctoral studies were completed at Louisiana State University in Communication Disorders with a minor in Linguistics and focused child language with emphasis on the grammar of children with Gullah Geechee heritage. 

Dr. Berry is a university professor, researcher, and child language expert who enjoys educating others about modern Gullah Geechee culture and language. Inspired by her experiences as a Gullah Geechee speaker navigating the complex and negative classroom experience, she has devoted her career to advocating  for the recognition, celebration, and inclusion of Gullah Geechee in mainstream culture.  Dr. Berry’s favorite saying is,  “Gullah Geechee been ya, een gwine nowhere.”

Purchase a copy of her new book, The Little Gullah Geechee Book on Amazon, here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0578644029/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Follow Dr. Berry:
Instagram: @iamjessicaberry  |  @thegeecheescholar
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCUIqGYID7s
Video Intro to The Little Gullah Geechee Book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eAmfQ8rAU
Gullah Geechee Switch Coding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3p2F9A1ktU

Transcript

Nia Joy:   0:04
Welcome to the Charleston real estate Connection  Podcast: Connecting and re-connecting you. All things Charleston. I am your host, Nia Joy, Your GoalDen Realtor Licensed in the state of South Carolina. Welcome to the show! Hello, and welcome to the 10th episode, the 10 episode of the Charleston Real Estate Connection Podcast. I'm so excited today. I have a very special 10 episode guest. You may have seen her around Charleston. Maybe...maybe singing. Maybe you saw her recent YouTube video that is being passed around, Charleston and all over the country now, but now, she is actually a certified speech language pathologist. She's also an author, mother, wife. She also teaches at the university, and she's also a child language expert. Oh, I have so much I can say about her. I want to introduce to you Jessica Berry; Dr Berry, "if you're fancy" Thank you so much for joining us, today!

Nia Joy:   1:27
Absolutely. I'm so excited to be with you!

Nia Joy:   1:30
Oh my goodness, your personality is infectious. Anybody knows Jessica, knows that she is a lively person, just full of energy. Yes, I just I know that you have many, many talents, but what I would like to talk about...first is...we do this with all of our guests on the show [today]. We asked him about their connection to Charleston and I want to hear about your connection to the Charleston area.

Dr. Berry:   2:00
Listen, I am born and raised. Little country, low country girl. Born and raised in Huger, South Carolina.  You know, we have, like, one stop light, and it's not even in Huger, right. So, born and raised in  Huger by way of Mount Pleasant. I also spent a lot of time in Six Miles, Snowden Community. I went to Berkeley County Schools, so, trusted his home and I love it!

Nia Joy:   2:33
Yes, yes. And Charleston loves you back! Great things we're gonna talk about later in the show about how you're talking more about Charleston and the culture. So tell us, tell us a little bit about what you enjoy doing. Maybe some about your career in background. I know you have many facets about what you're doing is you now have a lot that you're going. Can you just tell us a little bit about you know, a little bit about J. Berry Collective and your business love story.

Dr. Berry:   3:06
Yeah, so I do a lot. And so I was sitting there just trying to think about, like, how do I create a business that can encompass everything that I do? So I came up with J. Berry Collective because, literally, it's a collective of everything that I do from singing to motivational speaking. I love to do seminars about the Gullah Geechee language. So anybody who wants to learn what it is, what does it sound like, was the history of it? I love stuff like that, Especially with our educators, because I have a passion for the next generation of scholars. I enjoy teaching, so I teach at South Carolina State University in speech pathology and audiology and I always try to find a way to weave Gullah in there as much as I can just to help our students recognize that light. Look, you're geechee and that's OKA...like that's really cool. So, I enjoy teaching. I enjoy singing, so I do that a lot...all over the low country, I would say I enjoy writing. I don't really enjoy writing, but I do it just because I mean sort of kind of have to do it, right?

Nia Joy:   4:15
 I don't know. I'm gonna just I'm gonna let you go on and gonna have to disagree with you about the writing part. But that's fine. Every has their "weaknesses..."

Dr. Berry:   4:25
Yes, yes, everybody has those, but you have to so overcome them. So that's been my thing, like overcoming that I don't want to write and just right, just do it! So those are some of the things that I enjoy. J. Berry Collective is a multifaceted company where, um it houses all of who I am and all of what I do, and I hope that it expands to be able to be a resource for the community. So I look for J. Berry collected in the future to provide, like, first generation college student seminars, because I we a lot of first Gen college students. I was a first Gen. Colin student. So I want to help them be more prepared to get a head start in the academic setting, um, providing goal of beauty seminars and, ah, a platform for we G two people toe express who we are, what we bring to the table. So day bear collective is growing. And, um, yeah, that's who I am That's what I love to do. And I love to spend time with my kids, of course. And my husband family time like

Nia Joy:   5:26
that, you know that you are super wife, Mom. Maybe I should say, but we know that That's just this is embedded in your fibers. That's who you are. It shines through all of your work.

Dr. Berry:   5:41
Yeah, it's important for me to be that example for my girls like I want them to see like you. You can work, You can have a business. You can You could be a light, you know, Just woman power. You know,

Nia Joy:   5:55
celebrating NFO Women's Leather Women's history Home. Good time to get home. A perfect time for you coming on the show. A couple episodes from here. I'm gonna be doing a quick homage to the black culture and something. So I really wanted to bring you on board And you being a woman. Women's History Month. Thank you.

Dr. Berry:   6:23
Yes, absolutely. It is a pleasure to serve. I just I love it. It's a passion of mine. And I wake up every day to do it. Why not?

Nia Joy:   6:33
It indefinitely uses it. So, yeah, I'm looking for missing the thing that you're gonna be doing with Avery would like to thank you. Thank you. So, as far as the things that you're doing with the company, um, I've seen how everything is perfectly woman in there, maybe something you don't have to try. And I love that about the brain that you don't really have to try to be anything but you and scholarly the way you are. I'm really fascinating. Mind that that you studied the T shirt, ut Gullah culture and you know ya, boy, baby, I've been here around. Jesse's got you to use a video, and I know personally, my story when I went to college is it was a hard time for me to transition. Um, when I was in my casual setting on me, obviously on him off like that all the time with my parents. But the culture understanding that itchy leg, which could you just kind of tell people a little bit about that Because I think a lot of misconceptions you gonna give. I know you don't have all day, but

Dr. Berry:   7:42
oh, yeah, I can I can give a story this week that l a Gucci is a language. It is not broken English, and it is important for our generation. And the next generation of the next generation said, no longer be ashamed of that. It's how we talk. It has rules. It has grammar. Um, it's a structured language, just like mainstream English. And so I'm always an advocate for us to learn how to code switch, and you use mainstream English on whenever we can. We don't have two minutes, our chilies. And so I'm also an advocate for choice. And so L. A G and my favorite saying, If you get my book on the back of this is gonna get you Benji, I ain't going a week. Look, we we are here and we're representation of everything that happened before, So it's something to be proud of. I think, um, here recently, a lot of people have kind of jumped onto this idea of celebrating the culture, and I'm so happy about it to see it spread across the country and internationally that people are finally celebrating the treasure because it's a treasure. It's it's unique to the United States. It's the only English based Creole language living in the United States. Yeah, Oh yes, the only one

Nia Joy:   8:56
wow. And that's historically have been

Nia Joy:   8:59
that that's how it's been. So we have the French Creole, which a lot of people know of. A Louisiana Adela is an English based creo, and so it's the only one that's deriving and living across the court. Or so it's gonna be proud of. And I know like you said, Ah lot of us it wasn't until he left and went to college when we were like, Oh, wait, you know the way it is in other

Nia Joy:   9:21
languages, another culture out here. I know clearly, you know, growing up, you know, most pleasant district schools. I mean, obviously, you know, you have to write a certain way, you know, the RV. Depict do Well, it's yes, I got that. However, when it came down to it, we were just comfortable with being who we were and speaking that way. And I love it when I'm around my people, and I know my husband from Maryland. So what? Oh, I like her, but I love how you you really bring the modern. The modern s like, uh, today's culture and really embrace it. And I really appreciate that, you know, I'm healthy, educated. I have a master's degree, but I know you like permission to stay with. Celebrate this?

Nia Joy:   10:13
Yeah, absolutely. And that's one of the reasons why I actually, when I did that YouTube video, it was literally just I was sitting in the house and my husband's from Orangeburg. So he's also the same way, like what did they say? Tell me, have you? Which today is sick. So I'm translating between and I was seeing me and I was like, You know what loom? I only said, Thio trains Lee. I'm going to appoint video, shut the show. People had a cold switch and so it really was just meant to be lighthearted and fun and just the way to say, Look, it's okay, this is what we do. And I'm glad that it resonated with the community in right in this positively.

Nia Joy:   10:52
And I love that. I look forward to seeing a lot of work that you're going to keep reaching things. I know it might have started out being that way, but it was truly enlightening for me and we wait. That's what we shared millions, right, because we can have a laugh like that in the show does that? Those You want to hear it? Yes. So thank you. Um So the last thing I really want to get him into with you is your new book. You knew? Yeah. Yes, yeah. Uh, the video intro. I mean, tell us more about your book.

Nia Joy:   11:35
Okay, So this is my new book, and it's literally a little book. I get excited about it cause a lot of people are like, when they get it. They're like, it's really little like it's really, really tiny. But this is, um I call this my little baby. Is the little girl a beauty book? A guy to come here? And it was inspired by some educators, actually side due succession with Charleston County School District to educate educators of Al Della and what it is so that Children will have a better class from the bakery. And what I learned was each time I ve session the teachers asked me the same questions. What is Della? What's the difference of sweet Gullah and Geechee will come? The words he's saying, Where does it come from? What should I do? What should I not do? What should I say? Where Can I go? Um, And so I thought, You know what? Cheap Answering the same questions. Let me just write it down in a book For anybody who's new to the area, who wants to learn more about the culture in the language? Quickly. This is a very short, brief guy just to give you some background knowledge, some, uh, grammar and start and let you wanna rebel Lose some short phrases do's and don'ts Cause there's some things you just don't do

Nia Joy:   12:49
Oh, just curious to see with i iss Oh, I get it so it's awesome. Now I know you said that your books are also being sold on Amazon. Well, in addition, amas are locally People can buy your books.

Nia Joy:   13:07
Yes, So you can head over to the, um Riverview imploding John on the name of it. So OK, it's the river Watch Cafe and give shop at the Mount Pleasant Pierre. They have some coffee, some copies. Their river watched cafe and gift shop at the Mount Pleasant. Here is where it is currently locally, hopefully get a few more places. Um, and actually, recently I had a few real estate agents to when I was a real estate agent. But people who own rental properties down there have bought them, and they're sitting in their ritual. Probably. So when people visit the area, they can read about the culture and learn that some places to go. So

Nia Joy:   13:50
we owe thieves on the open this year, I'm going to be happy in here and Julie the next match by myself and three more just to get supplies. Some of my clients are relocating to the area. I gotta be often when you're relocating here. Yes, copy. Talked it out. He also Yeah,

Nia Joy:   14:12
This You're welcome. So yeah, that will be a That was a neat idea. I didn't think that that was, um somebody who owns property in Charleston had that idea. I was like, Oh, that's pretty. Me For those who relocating to learn more about the culture.

Nia Joy:   14:27
I know there's just so many misconceptions about a lot of beauty culture I love how you you've accomplished some of that in the book, and I'm sure that this is probably gonna be a spring. People want more. Oh, so can you tell us like a few different, um, misconceptions, Or, um, I wouldn't say Maybe maybe even some understanding a little about the difference of the beach. You go the culture and I can't prominent chronicle excellent debt. But that's probably the biggest one. I think

Nia Joy:   14:56
this conception. So Ah, lot of people think that Gullah is slang, and it's not. It's a rule governed language I spent a lot of time in. My book in Chapter three is a matter of fact outline in some of the, uh, very structured grandma patterns that we followed in the language. So that's probably one of the major misconceptions is that the language is slaying, but it's really a mixture of English and various African languages on Europe on Monday and heated. So we see vestiges of those African languages left and what we do in the rhythm of our speech and you know how we put our words together and how we make our sentences on. And I think probably the other misconception is that Gullah Geechee is set is some sort of separate entity. But really, it's the culture is the people and the language are all going g.

Nia Joy:   15:49
Okay, it's I am I

Nia Joy:   15:53
is one of the same. Yeah, So the word the terms Della gr. So like I'm a delegate key person, I speak a delegating language and I live going Geechee culture. It's all it's all encompassing. And here recently, a lot of people try to make distinctions between the terms Gullah and Geechee. And while there some distinctions like I will say, my grandma spoke Gullah because she used a lot of African vernacular African words, whereas I would say I spoke more. Keep speaking Rikichi because I don't use as much African words. But I still use the same tone and the same intonation and how I speak. But all in all, it's Gullah Geechee one and the same.

Nia Joy:   16:34
Wow, you know, I'm good at something new from that because I never really understood the differentiation between the two. Personal Um, I just I just know I knew what you know, right? To be able to say that breaking down by somebody who's an expert like you, I think that's saying something. That's something I can help you home. Okay, so I am just fascinated by all the things that you have going on and again I look for grabbing a copybook. Grab a copy of the little

Nia Joy:   17:06
Gullah Geechee book died for to come. Yeah,

Nia Joy:   17:11
I forget. So in addition to the book, any other things you have on all, What else can we look for? And in the coming,

Nia Joy:   17:21
um, actually view Ah, follow me on instagram. You see, like, today I just posted I'll be featured on Taste the Nation with Pat MMA Um, coming up in June on who lose. So that's really exciting. She came down to Charleston, ended Ah, Siri's or episode on Gullah Geechee culture of food. So that was really nice to lend my expertise to that. Um, yeah, definitely. Have a couple of book signings coming up one of John's Island in March on hopefully a few other things in between.

Nia Joy:   17:53
Oh, they were exactly miss nice. That's nice even commit. Get a signed copy of the book. Yes, that's that's really don't I'm excited for you and all the things that you're doing and working in your Oh, are you many gifts?

Nia Joy:   18:06
Thank you. Thank you. Guys. Been good

Nia Joy:   18:10
without mentioning the album. Oh, yes, really way cannot. Okay, not in this without doing something out. Right quick.

Nia Joy:   18:20
Okay, so yes, last year. Last May, Mother's Day, I released a single call water walker. Um, it was my second song, but I really think it's like my first cause. It was really the one that I was like, really touching about. But, um, it is an anthem, in my opinion. So anybody who just wants to take the next step, whatever that looks like. So it encourages you to just walk out on the water, do what it is you want to do. I'm evidence of it. In January, I said, You know what? I'm starting my business and I did it. So I'm a water walker. And that song is just out there to inspire the next Gen avoid

Nia Joy:   19:00
walkers. I love the cooling phrase. As soon as I heard it, I was like, E, this is may. This is so so definitely get the same. Go on the how and check out that single I know, I know it's a proper one of literally spoke life to me, and you just have an amazing ways. Then

Nia Joy:   19:25
thank you so said Geechee. Heritage is coming through.

Nia Joy:   19:30
Oh yeah, it's coming on. It's

Nia Joy:   19:32
coming through s o my family, the richest of Starlight singers that anybody who is from the area would know the richest in Starlight. Thing is, that's my granddaddy's uncles.

Nia Joy:   19:45
Oh, guess when you were at a oh, Bible. Yes. Some of the models wish es it. 10 miles. Oh, night. Oh, night. Seven. They're all mad. Just entire little kids. We have Did, you know, looking back on it, I just I miss that. I miss it

Nia Joy:   20:09
because it was a sense of community. And I think that's what makes gutless so special is because we really built community like everybody was family. You know, Um that's that makes the culture special.

Nia Joy:   20:20
Yes, bring keeping that alive. And we look forward to danger. Dolan. Jessica. That very easy. Yes. No. So anyway, that you get for coming onboard and anything else you want to say to the audience and maybe there wasn't worth encouragement.

Nia Joy:   20:40
Uh, yeah. Absolutely. First, thank you for listening on and thank you for having me on on this show. I truly appreciate the platform that your building and just and excited for all that's gonna take place for you because of this. So everyone listen. Listen. Go check out the book. The little guy. The beauty book that would come. Yeah, It is going to inspire you to learn more about the delegates culture. I was. Well, despite to go buy you a basket and do all of those phenomenal things to support the fact that this culture has to stay alive, it cannot die. We are the torch bearers to make sure that it lives. And it doesn't go anywhere. Um, be a one worker. Uh, and follow me. Five me on instagram. I am Jessica Berry or, um, at the Gucci Scholar. I mean, finding either one of those places follow along my journey. Say something to me. Let me know you're there and less convinced.

Nia Joy:   21:35
Let's connect with Jessica. Yes, you stop the bike. So thank you for listening and celebrating with us. 10. Episode of the toxin is a conviction podcast. We'll see you in the next booth. This has been another episode of the Charleston Real Estate Connection podcast. You can find us on our website at Charleston re connection dot com That's Charleston re connection dot com