Something that has captured my
interest these past few weeks. Well that could be a number of things too
numerous to list. I guess if I had to pick just one it would be the image of defending
the tower when we discussed the teaching of the English language.
When I think of a tower I always
think Rapunzel trapped, hidden away from the word, the only human interaction
she had being with the witch who would climb up her long golden hair. Imagine
how that affected her as a person, how much that would have stunted her growth.
Is that the kind of relationship we want English to have with the world?
I know it’s not part of our class’
assigned readings but in his article “Do You Speak American?” Robert MacNeil
discusses the wide variety to be found in modern day American English and how
the different cultures in this melting pot of a country have influenced that
variety. This variety, he says, is not a bad thing. He
directly addresses the misconceptions the public has regarding the varied
pronunciations of the same words as well as explaining how misplaced the stigma
is that accompany those pronunciations.
In doing this he is attempting to both broaden the reader’s
understanding of the English language in America and change any negativity they
might hold toward certain demographics that use English in a way that is
different than them.
Another article that discusses the different dialects
of American English is John Simon in his article “Why Good English is Good for
You”. Now, anyone who has actually read this particular article understands
that, while Simon’s argument is valid he says it in such a way that he comes
across as a complete prick. He bemoans what he considers the improper use of
the English language and antagonistically places blame directly upon those who
teach English.
Both Simon and MacNeil are discussing the development
of the English language but they come at the subject from two completely different
points of view. MacNeil sees the growth of language as something that helps
bring people closer together. He’s open minded and encouraging. Simon, on the
other hand, is almost antagonistic. He belongs firmly with the garrison defending
that tower in which Rapunzel was imprisoned.
This talk of defending the tower, I feel, is very
limiting. Like Rapunzel held captive, a tower-like construct when dealing with
English stunts the development of the language. Even Simon admits that language
in and of itself is an ever-growing, ever-changing entity. To keep it locked up
in a tower is…well, at the very least it is unproductive.
So, I am totally watching Tangled while reading your post... But, I do agree with you, if we defend the tower we are limiting the overall learning of the students inside and outside the tower. There has to be some care about the world outside or else it doesn't matter what we do inside. Also, being able to learn about things outside the tower provides us with ways to interpret the works we are reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the idea of defending the tower is limiting. Of course we can all make jokes about how we live in an ivory tower and all that, and to some extent it's true. We can't reasonably expect everyone on earth to be interested or familiar with the things that we are getting Masters degrees or PhD's in order to learn. However, if the things we think about and do only apply to people within the realm of academia, that's sort of sad and futile. We need to let our own learning impact the world outside the tower, inasmuch as it can.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could post a picture here.
Delete"High 5"
I wish I could post a picture here.
Delete"High 5"
I think this speaks to the importance of making connections to writing in the real world. That is, instead of defending the tower, rules for rules' sake, we need to teach students why they need to learn how to write in certain ways in order to make people in specific audiences and situations convinced of something. Good thinking.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I wanted MacNeil very much to recognize and embrace Simon. MacNeil appreciates all dialects after all. Right? I feel for Simon who seems frenzied by the slurs and insults waged against him. I am not a prescriptivist by any stretch of the imagination; however, the brilliance of Simon's example upon example of "good English" left me with an appreciation for him. I really enjoyed all the readings, but loved McGray and Simon's most, because they favored education and supporting educators.
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