Okay first things first. I am not some crazy grammar pedant; the intent here is to have some fun. My name is Blake Brown and I am currently enrolled in UVIC's Teaching Program and one of the assignments I have been tasked with is starting a blog. So with that being said I thought I would find something apropos to one of my teaching areas and run with that.
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| Donald Knuth has a Grammar |
Something that I have noticed as an English major is that a lot of people think that I: can spell every word in the dictionary, have some great enthusiasm for punctuation, will spontaneously combust if you tell me that you “seen” a movie last night. Well guess what, a degree in English does not ensure perfect grammar. I can pretty much guarantee that I would never win a spelling bee, and if I correct someone for saying something like "I seen," it's because I dont want to pick up the habit.
I am sure some of my English professors would love it if I could stop everyone from texting each other LOLROFLBBQ, as stuff like that is destroying good grammar. But truth be told sometimes it’s funny to say “lol” in the middle of a conversation with friends. These things have their place, maybe not in the middle of your doctoral dissertation, but most certainly as a text message response to your friend’s lame joke that vegetarian zombies eat "GRAINS!!!" So I am not quite sure what direction this blog will take, but at the very least I shall try to poke some fun at the English language.
In that light I ask you, if cactus plural is cacti, does that mean that Jesus plural is Jesi?
--Blake
It is encouraging to see other English Majors struggling with the same problems that plague me. I couldn't spell my way out of a paper bag and the thought of writing on the chalk board terrifies me. I think it will be a lot of prepared overheads and media presentations along with a few embarrassing moments. That being said, I also share your aversion to misuse of "seen."
ReplyDelete"Me fail English. That unpossible."
ReplyDeleteFunny and inviting post! I think research should be conducted to determine whether several years of marking student essays also degrades one's ability to spell.
ReplyDeleteI swear spelling on a chalk board is 20 times more difficult.
ReplyDeleteI also find that, as English majors, we automatically become the go-to editors for absolutely EVERYTHING. Luckily, I happen to enjoy grammar (barf, I know).
ReplyDelete