So,
We meet again. This time around it may not be pleasant for all of us gathered here today. I plan to expound to you all the reasoning behind my fanatical love of grammar, spelling and punctuation, and from that, why English is my favourite academic subject, despite its unpopularity among students of all ages. Understand that I do not percieve my grasp of the language perfect; I make mistakes too, often silly ones at that. I just love this art form, and every time it is taken for granted, I suffer a blow to the word processor known as my head (ooh, artistic!). Oh, and yes I did decide to write this after the many English language associated jokes, comments and minor arguments on the One80 site.
First off, I love the English language. It is considered one of the hardest languages to learn and comprehend, mainly because words that are the same can mean different things, letters can make completely different sounds, and so on and so forth. Not only that, but old (olde, perhaps) English is even trickier people say. I think not so, but that's probably because in the churches I've grown up going to, the King James Version has been the Bible of choice. So, naturally I'm used to the thee's, thou's, thy's, thine's, beholdeth's, begat's, and other such words which are seldom used in modern times. So I guess my grasp of the written word has been boosted by those early years...speaking of which, one of my favourite times when I was young was story time. I loved when mum read me stories before bedtime. I took to reading at a young age, and was considered ahead of my grades in primary school, which I attribute to storytime before bedtime. Books have always been highly valued in my family, something which I want to carry on, should I start my own family.
I think my love of the language is what helps me write what people call "really good" poems. To me they're just expressive words on paper, trying to capture the undefinable essence of the heart, but hey, I'm not going to complain. Words are just words, used to try and manifest beauty, but often are so clumsy and inarticulate that they barely tell of half the wonder of a person, feeling, scene or whatever.
But enough, I said I was going to talk about why I enjoy the curricular subject entitled "English" so much. Well, I enjoy it a lot more than maths. I see maths as by-the-book, straight-forward and boring. Everything is rules, formulae and equations. It is all done by one way or another. English, however, is creative. You follow the task, but achieve your own goal, view or idea how you feel you best do it. It's creative, and I stink at any and all other forms of creative expression: drama, music, photography, etc (probably because I haven't given photography a go yet, but what the heck). This year I've gotten an "A" on every single piece of assessment for the subject so far, and it's continuing to look bright. My teacher is great (an essential ingredient to enjoying a subject), and best of all, the assignments are stimulating.
Whenever I poke fun at people for making mistakes (Kirsty, that's you), or whinge and whine about the pain I suffer when viewing The Frullet's jeke, do know that I don't mean it personally or anything, I am just poking fun! But nonetheless, grammar, spelling and punctuation are high on my "count your blessings" list. Maybe with work, dedication, and some well enjoyed storytime, it may be for you too!
Ponyboy Taylor
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3 comments:
Chris always used to be really bad at english during school, and failed it in grade 8, or 9, or 10, or something. But for grade 12 had a really good teacher and ended up getting a HA (high achievement). Then at uni did a subject all about english and grammar and whatnot... Communication for the IT Specialist it was. Good subject, a speech or two, and all the essentials for knowing which word goes where and how to use appropriate dots and scratches in between. Once you have a good understanding of all that jazz writing things actually becomes enjoyable and much easier to read for other people. :-) Hooray for using good english proper...
(first comment)
I agree with you Sean@ when it comes to English, and I see similarities in our upbringings that may contribute to a mutual love of our language.
Books and reading were a big thing when I was young too (still are). I loved to read because at times I could become totally transported to a knew world and could become so engrossed in characters I was convinced I'd met them in person.
I used to write poems a bit when I was younger, but for some reason that has kind of faded from the forefront of my mind. I love writing short, non - fiction essays I suppose you'd call them, and refining them so they have the right amount of humour and eloquence to suit me just perfectly.
I love the vibrance and colour words can create, simply by being constructed in a manner that allows them to flourish best. I look forward to understanding the way language is used in heaven, because the way we communicate with words truly is a gift from God, because no other member of the Animal Kingdom has the ability to do so.
Language is a blessing, as you said.
Level 3
My heart dost agree with thee seamus of faraway. Thou hast done a glorious deed this day.
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