I agree that grammar--formal grammar as a component of education--is political, because the standardizing of language is an aspect of social power. But I'm bad at politics. A popular perception of the last two decades is that traditional grammar has been elitist, contrary to cultural diversity, etc., and I can understand that complex perception/misperception. But what would be the reactionary political agenda behind the abolition of grammar? Brock Haussamen -----Original Message----- From: Robert Reis To: [log in to unmask] Sent: 11/27/00 8:04 PM Subject: Re: Great site, run by a brilliant Black lady The abolition of the teaching of English grammar is a political program. As a linguist, certified teacher of three foreign languages, it is inconceivable to me that the simple fact that the longer my immigrant students have been in the American public school system the less likely it is that they have any idea how grammars work is an accident. This decision not to teach grammar can only have political motives. Stay pure, stay useless. Bye, Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul E. Doniger Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 6:52 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Great site, run by a brilliant Black lady This makes two in one day! PLEASE: DO NOT USE THIS LIST AS A FORUM FOR PROMOTING A POLITICAL AGENDA! This is a scholarly group, dedicated to the improvement of English Grammar education. If you're not interested in this, you should leave this list and seek recruits elsewhere. Not quite as respectfully yours as last time, Paul E. Doniger ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Reis <mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2000 8:45 PM Subject: Great site, run by a brilliant Black lady http://www.issues-views.com/Focus.htm <http://www.issues-views.com/Focus.htm> _____ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com <http://explorer.msn.com/> _____ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com <http://explorer.msn.com> To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/