Re: Grammar

[linneah@erols.com]

Poster: linneah@erols.com

On the subject of people speaking/writing in "English", I have a few things to 
say.  I am in my final year as an English major with an emphasis on 
Professional Writing - that is writing for businesses, not novels (but one can 
dream...).  I find that having to write can be almost as stressful to the average 
person as having to speak in public.  That is why there are degrees like mine 
(Anyone got a job opening?).  

As for Ebonics,  I happen to support the teachers of Oakland in their efforts to 
teach children English.  They termed it Ebonics, not so much because it is a 
separate language, but because there was federal money available if they did.  I 
would, if pushed, say that it may well BE a different language.  All human 
language developed because of the issolation of a population, and if that 
particular population is not issolated, then I don't like to sing at events!

Another bone of contention is, why do we continue to teach the "grammar" that 
our grandparents learned?  Languages evolve and change over time.  Why do 
you think that people in England, the US and other "English" speaking 
countries speak so differently?  I believe that the rules need to change over 
time as well.  After all, in Old English each of the letters in the work "knight" 
were pronounced, not far off from the Monty Python pronunciation in" The 
Holy Grail".  Why then, would the rules of needing a noun and a verb in a 
sentence still apply?

Just food for thought from someone who is forced to think about it daily.

Looking forward to the new debate,
Linneah
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