Yes, Dick, the study of language and the human capacity for language are
important parts of liberal education.  We just have to find ways of
convincing a disbelieving establishment of this and ways of teaching that
don't take up as large a percentage of class time as language centers occupy
in the brain.

Jeff Glauner
Park University


----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Veit" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: Putting grammar back into the curriculum


> Much of our debate about whether to teach grammar has centered on its
> utility, on whether it is a means to other ends such as improved writing
> skills.  We don't have the same debate about math or history or
literature,
> which are assumed to be inherently important.
>
> As with those disciplines, the best reason for studying grammar is for its
> own sake. The study of grammar gives us insight into the nature of
language
> and the structure of our minds. More area of our brains is devoted to
> language than to any other function. It is the indispensable,
> quintessentially human activity. Although all of us are experts in
language
> use (we constantly and effortlessly perform the amazingly complex task of
> creating and comprehending entirely original sentences), we do it
> subconsciously, with minimal conscious understanding of what we do.  The
> study of grammar provides us with conscious knowledge of our language.  In
> ways no other discipline provides, it allows us to know ourselves.  What
> further justification does anyone need?
>
> But in case they do, here's more: it is also great fun.
>
> Dick Veit
> Department of English, UNCW
> [log in to unmask]
> http://www.uncwil.edu/people/veit/DEG/