This strip from one of my favorite webcomics just so happened to appear just as I was considering starting up writing again, this time as a writing assignment for my English Grammar class. It illustrates perfectly (or perfectly illustrates?) this feared and abhorred Grammar Nazi mindset of educated individuals. As I learn more about our language and explore all the nooks and crannies of our English, I run the risk of becoming one of these who persecute those who do not adhere to the latest rules speaking. However, that is not my intent.
I want to learn language because, as the comic implies, it is one of the main means of connecting with others. I remember a scene from the movie The Dead Poet's Society in which the character played by Robin Williams (you're free, genie) stated that "language was invented for one reason...to woo women." While I do not seek any romantic companionship as a result of my studying language, I acknowledge it as such a powerful force that it deserves scrutiny. How is it that we give meaning to utterances of sounds and syllables? Why do we put value on certain words? What is their origin and how are they transformed from morpheme to morpheme? I'll admit, I don't know, but if understanding language as a means communication will connect me to other human beings and I can bring others into the fold so we aren't so alone, then I'm happy to pay the price. (Seriously, I didn't know an English class could cost so much.)
My name is Ryan Max Ocampo, and this is my 8th year in university. I've struggled long and hard and have tried and failed over and over again to write a blog. This new resurgence of posts comes as a prompt from my college course at Nevada State College on Principles of Modern Grammar. I still strive to be an educator, and this is another step of many. The following posts will detail what I have learned from this class and how I have processed the information.
No comments:
Post a Comment