"Thinking of language as correct or incorrect distorts it into an objective medium consisting of ahistorical rules and truths, obscuring the living quality of language," (Micciche 724). I should teach that idea to my students. I should also remind myself of that from time to time.
Practical application that I've been craving: enter The Orwell. George Orwell's essay, "Politics and the English Language," is one of the most astute essays I've ever read. Although its first few pages are rather dull, Orwell's discussion of word choices and their social and political implications still feels fresh some sixty years after he wrote it. I've thought about how I could incorporate this essay into teaching freshmen composition before, but I somehow hadn't thought about it as a way to teach grammar (rhetorical or otherwise). Micciche's idea for using this essay struck a chord with me:
Now, in a new progressive turn, I know how to utilize the words of our forefathers to educate and inspire the youth of today to become the informed and active citizens of tomorrow!
(Get it? Get it?! Exclamation points courtesy of Upton Sinclair.)
This could even be - dare I say - fun for the students. I can envision teaching this to students and having an in-class assignment where we make grammatical choices that, say, blatantly manipulate people's emotions or cover up flaws in an argument. I like the idea of teaching rhetorical grammar and the power of words in a way that darkly embraces the absurdity behind lots of political speech. Perhaps I could also utilize some variation on the idea of the commonplace books.
I wonder if Orwell and Upton Sinclair ever had a conversation about rhetorical grammar. I bet it would have come to blows. I mean blows!!!
I think it would have come to fisticuffs.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your idea that this could be fun. When thought about, not like a rule, but like a conscious, manipulative decision, I think it would be much easier to get some wily freshmen on board. I know that when I link politics and the blame-erasing passive voice with my tutees, they tend to be quite amused. Getting them to flex those muscles for themselves could be quite successful, I think.
Definitely. I think Orwell's essays on writing are some of the best. I might have students read those. He is big on active voices and challenges the stuffy scholarly rhetoric of his time. This is needed even now.
ReplyDeleteRyan