How do you personally define the field of “English”--is it something you “do” (if so, how?), an object of study (if so, what?), an adjective describing something (if so, in what way?), or all of the above? And how does this understanding of English inform your decision to be an English major?
For this initial post, please write responses between 250-300 words.
The field of English is something we do, something we study, as well as an adjective describing both the verb and noun versions previously mentioned. It is a verb in that it is a single action when which combined with other synonymous as well as different actions creates the effective language and forms of art. It is with discourse, this language among us, such can vary from simple communication and the relay of information to types of profound realizations, and strike to the imagination to create a sort of aesthetic scenery the writer intends so through careful word selection just as an artist selects the perfect shade of color for a painting. It is when we study what English is, and I believe even more so, what it can become to each unique individual, its existence as a noun can educate on how to create a logical argument, portray some of the most difficult to understand ideas, and magically transform words into some piece of literary work we lose ourselves in when we read it. My decision to be an English major comes from what I want to do with it, as long as circumstances are willing that I can achieve the level of education necessary to so, which is teach at the University level. I want to help the most creative people who lack skills in grammar and wording attain the knowledge that will allow their ideas to be recognized; metaphorically, to be a sort of vocal coach for the talented lyricist, whose talent no one will hear until given the proper voice to then be heard.
ReplyDelete-- Leslie Fox
We speak, we write, we read, and essentially we communicate using the English language. I believe that the field of English is very much something we do. Since the day of our birth we become immersed in words and the powerful meanings of them. The first and most important things to be learned while at the beginning stages of our education are how to read and write- how to put thought to paper. It proves to be nearly impossible to learn different subjects without first having the knowledge of the written word. As our ability in using the language flourishes we learn how to more artfully express our ideas, hopes, and feelings through speaking and writing and in turn discover how to better understand and analyze the ideas, hopes, and feelings of others through listening and reading their own works. English is not a subject that we engage ourselves in throughout our years of education and then abandon but rather a subject that we must retain and use continuously and endlessly. So perhaps I’m being biased, but I truly believe English is the most important subject one can study. My decision to be an English for Secondary Education major stems from a number of things, the first and foremost being my deep love and passion for the English language and literature. I hope that in the next four years at WKU, I will become equipped with the knowledge needed to teach this wonderful subject to high school aged students, so that they will leave my classroom with a deeper understanding of the field of English and all it encompasses.
ReplyDelete-Kirsten Hunt
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ReplyDeleteEnglish is important on many levels. First and foremost, it is a form of communication. It is taught to us when we are babies and it opens up the world for us. Our English skills are honed in school, from elementary to collegiate studies. I believe the English language is one of those things that we can never learn “everything” about; there is always more to learn. As a Professional Writing major, I see the “world” of English in black and white. There is creative writing and technical writing. I know I could never be a creative writer (I've tried and it was not pretty) but I love to read the written words of others. I get annoyed when I find a typo on a professional document. I feel passionate about the English language, but through an analytical viewpoint. I feel this will make me a successful Technical Writer someday. This all stems from my love for the English language. We speak it every day. We jot down notes feverishly as our professors speak it. We utilize our skills every time we write a document for class, either by hand or on the computer. For me, the art of English is more than just reading, writing, and speaking. It is, in fact, an art form. When it comes to the design and layout of the document, I find joy in reading or writing a “correctly formatted” piece of literature. What can I say? I'm an English nerd. -Ann Reagan
ReplyDeleteThe term ‘English’ alone defines so much of who we are. The field of English allows us to put pen to paper and communicate the inmost of our being. English can be described as an art, adjective, and an object of study. The power that we have to carefully choose the words to describe something in such a way that an image can be seen by through a sentence is a remarkable art. English is described as something that we do in the sense that we can use words to define feelings and conjure up feelings from a selected group of words. By expressing themselves, writers use the field of English to bring a light to the everyday splendor that is effortlessly overlooked. Rich description can do so much more than a picture and can evoke more feelings using sensory detail that strike each individual in a different and unique way. Writing allows us to shout the unspoken, but in a subtle yet powerful manner. The English language and field provides a tool to speak an untamed imagination into life. It allows individuals to communicate their own personal stories and allows these same stories to become important part of history as they leave an impression on those who have read and felt the same sentiment as the author and characters involved. Written work leaves an impression on the reader and allows the reader to take insight from the piece and influence his or her own thought process. I have a passion to encourage others that what they have to say is important which drives me even further in my love for English. I believe that writing can communicate a person’s heart in the most inimitable way and empowers us with countless opportunities and all we have to do is find the right words.
ReplyDeleteI personally define the English field as the study of the writing and grammar associated with English to better understand word placement and pronunciation followed by ways to become a better write. When I got older and got into higher levels of English the meaning of English to me began to expand. For example in college the meaning of English has grown past just writing and grammar now it’s including the origin of English, where the language evolved from, who spoke it first and what other languages did the English Language steal from to make it the language we know today. This understanding of the English Language informed my decision to become an English major because at first I was originally planning on going to the University of Kentucky to become pre-law and eventually become a lawyer, but they waited until the last minute to accept me which was a shame since they gave me William C. Parker Diversity Scholarship. Next I wanted to be a philosophy major, but my Mom was like that major is not going to pay the bills. Then I looked at my ACT scores and I did really well in my English, reading, and writing portions, but I did terrible in math and science (I felt like the test makers just made up a bunch of nonsense on the math and science problems.) Finally, I decide to become an English for secondary teachers major, though I am still going after my law degree after I graduate from Western. Christopher Catlett
ReplyDeleteStudents of English study the English language and related fields such as English literature and film. What gets studied varies from school to school and class to class, but there are certain texts that are nearly ubiquitous in the field of English. Usually, these works have had some kind of meaningfully impact on the culture of English-speaking peoples or on the world in general. Because of this, these works are often not recent. It is harder to judge the literary merit and cultural impact of something if you’re living it. You can see this in the way that it’s hard for English scholars to define what postmodernism is. It’s too recent, too new. Now, study in itself isn’t simply an inactive process. There’s a reason it’s also a verb. Therefore, the field of English involves doing as well as studying. Some students read, some write, and some teach, but all English students do something in addition to “studying” English. Often, these students are asked to do multiple things at once such as reading a text and then engaging with it in a written essay. Usually, these essays pick at a text, exposing its roots, trying to answer why a thing is the way it is. It’s a trait I think exists a lot in English students (and one I know exists in me) – the need to know why, to explain. Creative Writing majors explore this through their writing, trying to justify a particular action or incident, and Literature majors take what’s been written and take it apart to find the author’s justification. English is a very active field that happens to also involve a lot of studying. After all, it’s easier to find things when you know what you’re looking for.
ReplyDeleteEnglish is, indeed, everything: something we do, a field we study in classrooms, and also an adjective. English surrounds us in every way possible every day of our lives.
ReplyDeleteWithout realizing it, English becomes something we do. We speak English to our friends, we text each other to see if we’re free for lunch, we write answers for blogs, and even post status updates on Facebook. It becomes second nature to us, although we’re still “doing” it, in a sense.
English is also an object of study. We study the origin (like we did a bit on Monday), we study how to create sentences, how to write properly. It’s utterly amazing that we study English both verbally and in the written form from the day we’re born to the day we die. Even outside of school studies, many people are chastised (sometimes jokingly) for pronouncing a word incorrectly or for spelling things erroneously in a text. Not only that, but different dialects and accents are also studied; although many people in America speak general English, different sections of the country pronounce things incredibly different and make words unique to their community. There are no parameters to how we “study” English; simply by conversing day-by-day with fellow human beings we are analyzing our own language.
Of course, English is also an adjective. In the literal sense it describes a type of language that is spoken around the world from the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond.
I’ve always loved reading. That was my first reason for becoming a literature major; however, now that I’ve delved deeper into English and its entirety, it’s far more than a good book. I want to understand all of the language, from origin to syntax. I’m in awe of the ubiquitous term that is “English.”
English to me is all of the above. English is something one does as both a culture and a spoken language, and it differs depending on ones location with both country and region. English is also considered the lingua franca, or the language of business, making it a tool in the corporate world again showing English as something one does.
ReplyDeleteEnglish is an object of study in just as many aspects and more as something one does. Examples of this would be studying both English language and cultures as they have changed throughout history as well as how they change by demographics. The history of the English language and how it was formed is also studied. One studies English literature throughout history as well as using the English language and translations to study other cultures, countries, and their literature.
English as an adjective is shown multiple times in everything I have said above describing cultures, demographics, history and languages for a few examples.
The things that influenced my decision to choose English as a major extends far beyond my answers to these questions. All these answers did impact my decision to some extent; however, my choice relied more on my upbringing and education growing up coupled with my military career. My parents raised me to be a well-rounded individual with an appreciation of all cultures and languages. In high school, my English teacher was a Korean War vet who was very hard but fare with his teaching, and this made me work harder to appreciate and love English from both the reading and writing aspects. My military career took me all over the world experiencing many different cultures and languages. The combination of all these things caused me to appreciate learning, and with my desire to learn other languages and cultures, I also needed and wanted to learn my own better. This is what influenced my choice as English as a major.
--Adam Rzeszowski
English, in my opinion, is everything and is subsequently integrated into every single part of our lives. For me, it is my chosen field of study, but it is so much more than just a major. We speak an intricate language filled with English words. We take “English” classes that can be made up of anything from studying grammar to divulging into a study of a specific author. We read books filled with words that make up stories. Not only can we study the construction of sentences, but the beauty of English is that we can also study what the sentences mean and how they relate to us. Needless to say, English is everything and everywhere. We use English to put our thoughts into words for the rest of the world to see. The art of combining random words into a sentence is the essence of what makes our entire world work together. Communication is critical in every situation, and this can be attributed to the art of creating a simple sentence.
ReplyDeleteBeing an English major with Professional Writing and Pre-Law concentrations, I have a stricter view of this course of study. The creative aspect of writing and the English language is less prevalent in my skill set. I want to take my knowledge gained through this major into law school. From there, I will use the professional side of the English language in my chosen career everyday to bring facts to life and help those around me. As my appreciation for English grows daily, I have begun to understand the impact it has already had on me, and the impact it will continue to have for the rest of my life.
I personally define English as the study and use of grammar, words, stories, and technique. Encompassed together, this is what some might define as “language arts.”
ReplyDeleteEnglish is an umbrella term. One can not talk about English without discussing some literary work—fiction or non-fiction—without bringing up how a piece of literature makes people feel or think. In more advanced circles, people debate on what the envelope and letter opener symbolize while discussing the juxtaposition of the two item’s description.
“The rusty, old letter opener slashed the clean, white envelope open.”
Additionally, if technique and stories are the pretty and artistic side of English, then grammar and words are the technical parts inside the mechanical elephant. The English language has a few synonyms for the word “love.” Grammar is also a key point. There is a keen difference between, “Let’s eat, Grandma” and “Let’s eat Grandma.” If anyone plans on writing a good essay or a novel, knowing how to use a comma can make for an F or a cheap horror story.
Using grammar and words as a broad base, anyone can write. If one decides to examine and study how words and grammar make impacts and how to write effectively, one begins the process of advanced writing.
Sometimes, advanced writing is found in scholarly articles and research papers. Sometimes it is found in stories. Studying written stories and the techniques used to deliver ideas becomes a kind of puzzle. The puzzle for a reader, or want-to-be writer, or a teacher, involves looking at a story for its literary, but its scholarly impact too.
Combine all of this stuff together, and this is why I want to be a good, effective teacher. Students that read, read well, and enjoy reading and the challenges it presents are the students that can make the world a better place.
--Jacky Killian--
Whether we're referring to it as simply the language we speak, a quick read, or the poem we hear being recited at an open mic in a chic little coffee shop downtown. English inevitably becomes something that we do. A phenomenon of sorts, the moment when you sit down to ponder the fact that the ABC's we recited until the point of memorization when we were children, could unite and help us to formulate new ideas and communicate these ideas as well. Amongst the now-generation communication appears to be undergoing a transformation, and in the center of this commodity is English. Essential, yet commonly under appreciated in our everyday lives, English effects the way we interact with our peers and the world around us.
ReplyDeleteThe multifaceted nature of English makes it more difficult to simply pair it with just one or two competitive careers that are present in our market today. Because I've come to recognize the many opportunities that could be afforded to me through a major in English, English became my major of choice. Many careers encourage extensive experience in English and some even demand it. Let's avoid placing English in a rigid little stuffy box, it represents a much broader spectrum of career, culture, and communication than many of us even realize it deserves credit for.
-Mar'Nitka Coleman
English is not just a language, a series of works, or a subject we study. It's an art form, a common thread that ties us together as a people not just of this culture but of others as well. With it being one of if not the most commonly spoken language in the world today, English is a way for us to experience another worldview outside of what we see everyday. It's a new perspective on both the average and the extraordinary. To classify English as just one thing is to do it much disservice, as English is in everything we know and learn. Every subject requires a good command of the English language. A background in English is a door to many fields. I personally went into the English major because I have wanted to be a writer since I was seven years old. Putting thought to paper, allowing my imagination to run wild and for words to pour forth, I can imagine no better way to spend my life. This language, with all its rich history and tradition, is life for me. I want to create art with words strung together, and hopefully be able to spread that passion to others.
ReplyDelete-Amanda Vickous
English is the study of our language. The picking-apart of our language, learning its mechanics, using it all to communicate our ideas to others, and examining it to unearth meaning. When I was in middle school, my English classes were referred to as "Language Arts" courses. That is essentially what my idea of English has evolved into recently, as before university my English classes were simply teaching me to use language in its basest forms. Now I recognize its sheer power, and have embraced the art of using it to convey ideas and emotions, and the art of analyzing the language used by writers who have done just that. The rules and quirks of the English language are incredibly intriguing and quite important, both in general and to me, personally. Without even realizing it, I have nurtured an interest in writing over the years, and an uncanny interest in proofreading as well. But neither of those overshadows my interest in literature, in reading the written word. And since I took Introduction to Literature, I have learned that I can take so much more from the books I read. Reading has always been a form of escapism for me, but now I have the ability to pull endless meaning from whatever I read and connect it to other texts and real-life issues and situations. It is for these reasons that I have chosen a major in English. It is a subject that will never cease to be important.
ReplyDelete– Megan Serio
English, to me, is a form of communication and the expression of one's self. English can be taught to a certain degree. An example of this would be the English language; a person can learn to speak the English language but expressing one's self cannot be taught. English incorporates a person's ideas through a certain creativity. This creativity can be through written text, interpretive performance and other various outlets.
ReplyDeleteThis understanding of English has influenced my decision to be an English major because I feel drawn to express myself through creativity and offer insights and life lessons through my poetry and short stories. I hope to be a positive influence on the future generation to find their own muse and show them the way to expressing themselves. Although each person's creativity differs, my hope is to teach students how to be more abstract in their thinking and open the door for more interpretation. English, much like life, is not always written in black and white, but rather a series of gray areas that demand a philosophical way of thinking.
Leta Summers
English, as a language, is a wonderfully unique system of communication. Due to the nature of our society, a great deal of otherwise unavailable linguistic material has been gifted to us through the influx of immigrants and cross-culture assimilation. This makes English, arguably, one of the most useful languages to facilitate the creation of literature and other artistic writings. This also makes English a rather interesting language to study, and it only gets more complicated when you attempt to categorize and discuss the necessary concepts and ideas that designate a piece of literature as "good." These complexities create an environment from which a great deal of knowledge can be gleaned. This environment is the most important reason to study English, both as a language, and as an art form. The changes in our linguistic world take place subtly, and over a large span of time, making it more difficult to follow their nuances. Terms and colloquialisms are created and shared every day, often without realization. But with careful observation, we find that our language is not only of the utmost importance to us in the future, but also forms the very foundation on which our society is built.
ReplyDelete- Jocelyn Hood
English is both the study and application of the language. You study grammar and vocabulary. You apply the language when you read or write. Of course, the two are co-dependent. In order to understand and assign meaning to what you read you have to understand grammar and vocabulary, and in order to write effectively you have to be able to use that grammar and vocabulary to create meaning. English is a means of expression. It is a way for people to communicate ideas, and in order to understand these ideas you have to have a full understanding of both the study and application.
ReplyDeleteWriting has consistently been something I am good at. It was what I had the most interest in, and what I spent a very large portion of my time doing growing up. If I wasn’t writing I was reading. I was fascinated with storytelling, and I was passionate about it. So, when it came down to it English was the only thing that made sense. It is a field that encompasses all of my passions, and through the study of it will allow me to develop further as a writer. By studying the grammar and vocabulary I broaden my own comprehension of the language as a whole, and by studying works of literature I am continually being introduced to new and better methods of conveying ideas.
-Zachary Ecton
When it comes to the study of any language, there are essentially two things that I feel like we do. We study its structure and how it has evolved over time (i.e.: when describing an object, are the adjectives placed before or after the noun they are referring to?) and we study how different literary works have been created in this language (i.e.: studying poetry, novels, short stories, etc.). When it comes to the former of these two areas, it is mostly clean cut and dry. There are standard ways of organizing ideas in a language and studying this mostly comprises of memorizing all the different laws and nuances employed when using the language. We often deviate from these rules in everyday life, but our speech is still intelligible and accepted in informal situations and we all know it is actually incorrect (i.e.: using slang instead of standard words). It is just important to know the correct structure so we can use it in the appropriate instances. The latter of the two ways we study a language, studying how literary works have been recorded, is a much less black and white subject. When examining these it is first important to recognize what sort of literary work you are reading and understanding how works of this sort are usually constructed. For the most part, only notable literary works are examined. In order for a literary work to be deemed important enough to be broken down, the author often needs to have an exceptional level of mastery over the language, or a have natural gift, and to have cleverly employed the language in a unique way that causes the reader to think or gain insight.
ReplyDelete-Daniel Dutton
English is a language. Like most world languages, it is used to communicate. Sometimes this communication is verbal and sometimes it is written. To me, English itself should not be studied. That would be boring. The application of English is what should be studied. The many works that have been either written in or translated to English are what should be studied as well as verbal uses of English through such mediums as speech transcripts and films. The application of English is infinitely more interesting and study worthy than the language itself. Many authors have taken the established conventions of English and intentionally broken them, which is part of what makes me believe the importance of application over the language itself. This belief in the study of the application of the English language is what made me choose to be an English major. I started my college career as a journalism major. Journalism has a very stringent application of the English language that gives very little freedom. After taking a few English classes, I realized I felt more free with my writing in those classes. I changed my major and now look forward to being able to apply the English language in whatever fashion I desire.
ReplyDelete--Noah Frederick
What is English to me? Something I've been asked plenty of times throughout college and a lesser extent high school. The only answer I've come up with that I'm happy about is that (teaching) English is more about teaching life than anything else. This, I suppose is true for just about any language as well as English, as long as there is a large body of work either written natively or translated into said language. I tend to focus more on the touchy-feely “How do you feel about this?” or “What does this mean?” portion of English, rather than the pedantic grammatical and syntactical portion of it. I say that English is about teaching life because reading a work of literature enables you to experience, albeit vicariously, the experience of others which may be too fantastical or unlikely to happen in your own life. This lets you sort of prepare yourself for the hard or great times in your life, by letting you have something to lean on, or compare it to and draw a greater understanding from it. Which isn't to say that the most common perception of English, the grammatical and syntactical one, isn't important. It is, and should be taught along side the touchy-feely portion to help understand why certain word choices are made and to what end. Poetry doesn't have to look like poetry.
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