Why I Been Learning English

“Authority and American Usage” written by David Foster Wallace, poses an argument about the English language, and the different beliefs of its usage. This essay was written in defense of Bryan A. Garner’s, A Dictionary of Modern American Usage. His argument in “Authority and American Usage” is the difference the between prescriptivism perception and the descriptivism perception (Linguistic terms that could easily be made into smaller, more understandable words for people like me). Since the beginning of time, language has evolved. From biblical times, to Shakespearean times, to present day; the English language has been continuously changing since it’s birth and has no intentions on stopping.

William Strunk Jr., an English professor at Cornell University in 1919 required his students to have the textbook The Elements of Style, written by William Strunk Jr. himself. It was referred to as the “little” book and was a forty-three-page summary of the case for cleanliness, accuracy and brevity in the use of English (Strunk & White, 2000). These rules are in the form of sharp commands, shining light on Sergeant Strunk’s personality and approach to teaching. E.B. White, a former student of Strunk, revised the book he was given, years after his professor passed away. White does not soften the direct orders of the original book, but “preserves the flavor of his discontent while enlarging the scope of the discussion” (Strunk & White, 2000 xiv). The Elements of Style provides the readers with a convenient reference for grammar, while emphasizing the importance of omitting needless words, using concrete language and active voice all in a suitable design.

French language is the official language in 29 countries; it is a romance language that actually descended primarily from Vulgar Latin. French is the second most widely learned language after English, and it is alongside with English that is tough. The writing system are included the vocabulary, numerals, alphabets and the grammar. In this globalization, more than 200 million people speak French on the five continents. The capital and largest city in France is Paris, which is the most famous well-known tourist place by the people all around world.

Throughout my childhood, the idea of having a college education was greatly stressed. As a result, it was my duty as the next generational child, to excel in my studies and achieve a life of prosperity and success. Learning became the basic foundation of my growth. Therefore, my youth was overtaken by many hours spent reading and writing what was known to be correct "Standard" English. I first found this to be a great shortcoming, but as I grew older, I began to realize the many rewards acquired by having the ability to be literate.

Throughout my childhood, the idea of having a college education was greatly stressed. As a result, it was my duty as the next generational child, to excel in my studies and achieve a life of prosperity and success. Learning became the basic foundation of my growth. Therefore, my youth was overtaken by many hours spent reading and writing what was known to be correct "Standard" English. I first found this to be a great shortcoming, but as I grew older, I began to realize the many rewards acquired by having the ability to be literate.

When people stick too much to the verbal term itself, people became fixated that the initial meaning was lost.

In the America I’m attending 5th grade of elementary school and all of the middle school and high school. Those school is the public school, so all students in the school speaks english, so first time I meet them I confuse because they speak language that I don’t know. But I like to speak with other people so I try to speak with them by using easy english and those people help me and teach english to me, it was so good for learning english. And that makes me gotta 640 point in TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) and semi-two class in Practical English proficiency test. This is a level of daily conversation, so I think this skill was useful for communicate with people who come to New Chitose Airport. And I’m taking robotic class in high school, so I have a confidence for using the computer or any kind of machine. Also I like the grandstaff and I like to challenge to myself, so I think I can do anything for this work.

Schools around the world teach English to their students. In Europe especially 85 percent of students learn English as their second language (Source B). Why spend time learning another’s language while they already speak your own? There is no concrete justification. English is already one of the most spoken languages around the world and it continues to grow diminishing the value of other languages. Responses to this may include that while English is very widespread the future of languages is unpredictable, English may not in fact become the ‘global language’ it aspires to be(Source F). Mandarin is a language spoken by many people, it’s reach isn’t as far but China is an emerging superpower so who’s to say Mandarin won't become the ‘global language’. But, for now we must live in the present and not be ignorant of the fact that here and now English is the one at an upward

I have been learning English for six years, but when I came to United States

Student obstacle (English): Overcoming obstacle, “overcoming obstacles and challenges, in solving problems, and in adapting to organizational change” (pg. 82 Whetten & Cameron). I have an English language abstract, which I overcome and I manage my time at work, home and school. When I come to U.S, I cannot speak good English. Also, I have a child and I was a single mother. It was hard for me to go to a store and purchase food or clothes, even I cannot take my child to a hospital without language translator. I really disappointed in myself the way I was looking help every time for the interpreter. I finished high school in my country Somalia, and that time I learn some English, but it’s not enough to talk with others. I start working after six months when I come to Boston. I used to try to learn good English every time so I can communicate with others, but it was not easy to me. Learning English is not easy when you have children and grown-up person. Then I went to school to learn English. It was not easy going to school when you do not have money to pay the college. For that reason, I used to search schools that teaching adults English for a fee. It takes me cabal of years until I can sing and study at a community college. I work hard and, I get help teachers and tutors to learn and understand the language. Today I overcome that abstract and I’m happy for my hard work and honesty of my life to attend university.

Many if not all, from the marginalized group face a stumbling block once they reach higher education because of their low proficiency in English. Due to poor communicative English they are under-equipped to clear entrance exams or sit for job recruitment interviews, all of which, are conducted in English. As a result, they fail to acquire good jobs, even though they are well acquainted in their specific vocational or specialized technical fields and are forced to look for other options where basic command over English is not a criteria. It is indeed sad to see

As we all know that English is the most important and common language. Mainly most of the countries use English in their life because it helps a lot to communicate with the people around the world. Kuwait schools offer subject specially for teaching and learning English. So when I was seven years old, I learned the basic words and number without any grammar. Each year in my education from primary to high school I learned the language from my teachers. When I graduated, I observed that I have a lack of understanding English. I realized that I have no ability to understand the news, songs also the movies with English language. I found it really very difficult. In my opinion, the problem is because in our government schools here in Kuwait do not offer enough educate. To be honest, they do not have the better skills to deliver the information for the students. Moreover, they do not teach essential vocabularies that we need in our education. Of course that can cause a problem for a student to misunderstanding the English language. I entered the university after I finish high school but I found it difficult because of lacking of vocabularies. I was only understood by scanning and catching the easy words.  At least, I can understand the sentences by context. I tried to deal and come over to my problem by myself by learning more, and improved my reading in books and translating new English words to Arabic when I do not understand. Honestly, till now I

in the immediate context) of the same word or phrase, or of the same idea or statement in other words."

The use of standard English rules should be variable depending on who use it, such as immigrants in the United States. As we know, most immigrants’ native languages are not English. When they communicate with other people in English, immigrants convey their opinions with their merely familiar words. Perhaps they need to say several times so that they could express their idea clearly. However, most of the time, native English speaker can easily comprehend immigrants’ ideas by catching the main words and predict what immigrants want to say. In the article “Why Good English is Good for You”, John Simon shows that “ ‘Figure out’ is precisely what a listener or reader should not have to do” (532). In Simon’s perspective, when people use correct grammar to write,

It is important to note that for people who did not receive an education when English was being taught in public schools, would be at an extreme disadvantage as it will be much harder for the older citizens to learn English than for the young and upcoming citizens. But for the students who have an interest in seeking employment internationally, studies have shown that English language competence undoubtedly plays a role in their ability to find employment in countries such as the United Kingdom (Negash). Negash has also found that there has been a big influx of African doctors coming to Canada because the wage gaps between the countries are so large. Many African students will want for English to be the main language that they learn when