English

So what's everyone’s' thoughts on the English language/literature profession?

As a child, being brought up by MAD Magazine and 2 teachers, I thought it was the lamest concept for a class- after all, who needs to know English good anyway? MAD's perverse humor drilled into my mind that an English Major was just a pothead who couldn't make it in anything else. When attending the then-glorious halls of a high school with my mother on "Bring Your Child to Work Day" (before the noodle incident), the English classes seemed less than impressive. They seemed to be still teaching the same absurd minute differences between the pluralization and possessive form's of words five years later, something I did not look forward to.

Five years down the path to the beginning of my own high school career I discovered the differences between the remedial and honors-track programs. Mainly, in honors classes you actually have to try... a little. The biggest surprise came when for English, Mr. Bell assigned not, "Go, Dog, Go!" for the twelfth time so we could pick up on the graceful subtleties of such poetic writing, but stuff that might as well been scrawled on cave walls in charcoal for how old it was. It wasn't so much deciphering the hidden sexual innuendos of every line as it was the interpretations we were forced to draw. No longer was I allowed to believe that "Why, my cheese, my digestion, why hast thou not served" was just what it claimed to be, lactose intolerance.

Speaking of the AP's for other languages- what the dilio?! (I wish I knew how to type an interurban). NOBODY that's not a native speaker of the language can get a 5 on the AP test unless their accent is nonexistent! We might as well have a question on the AP English saying, "Is English your first language?" and if you answer "No" they automatically dock a point off your test.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is no longer do I scoff at the idea of learning my primary language in school, but am terrified at the realization that I still know only a quarter of the languages nuances after 18 years.

Comments

[Zack J-N]

Ok, "Interurban" should be "Interrobang". I don't even know what an "Interurban" is.

[ben L]

For as bad as I am at English I still understand how important it is to learn and practice english. In order to be successful in the real world one has to be articulate and well read. Everything this year weather poetry or GOST all helped us on our way to adulthood. I dont think that the AP tests everything it should or can. I am not good at essay writing but thats what the AP tests. Is this really a fair judgment of how one understands english.