Craig,

This is a list on the teaching of grammar.  I have always understood you to be offering your point-of-view
to suggest a more effective approach to the teaching of grammar.  I apologize if that is not your purpose in 
sharing with us your views on the nature of grammar. 

In the meantime, I appear to have a serious reading deficit. 

Craig writes: 
When I write to Bruce, I don't think I am making 'claims' 
that need to be challenged, but simply articulating a point-of-view that 
I have been developing --am still developing-- over a period of time.

***
I see the following  point-of-view as making claims about the nature of language.

Craig writes: 
 I believe that a hammer is formed like a hammer because that form is
suitable for its function. In that sense, the forms of grammar are
context sensitive. We have ways to ask questions, for example, or make
statements. These have evolved because language occurs between people,
and we have evolved ways to offer or request information, and we have
evolved ways to target the specific information we are looking for or
offering, and so on. You can disagree, but I don't think that is an
unusual position.

****************
It seems to me you have drawn clear teaching implications about this point-of-view about the nature of language. 
I sincerely regret if it is the case that you have not made any teaching implications from the point-of-view you articulated above.

If there are problems with the nature of language articulated above, then perhaps there are problems with the teaching implications based on that point-of-view. 

I know the way I teach about writing is based on how I view the nature of language.  I think all of us who teach writing have a view of language, but I could be mistaken.   

Bob Yates, University of Central Missouri



 

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