Is Proper English Dying? And Should Us Care?

This Jeff Yang piece is in the October 29 Wall Street Journal.

If, as Laurie Anderson sang, language is a virus, then English is the common cold.
Already ubiquitous — English has an estimated 1.5 billion speakers — it’s only growing more so, given its status in fast-growing emerging markets. Especially the fastest-growing and emerging-est market of all, China, where it was estimated last year by the China Daily newspaper that up to 400 million people are currently actively learning English, or nearly a third of the population. (It’s this statistic that led Jon Huntsman, former Ambassador to China and soon-to-be-former GOP presidential candidate, to remark recently that in a few years, China will have more English-speakers than America.)

Read the entire article in the October 29 Wall Street Journal . . .

Gene Yang at the SFPL on 11/5

You and your students might be interested in Gene Yang’s upcoming lecture on the inner workings behind graphic novels and his latest project(s). He is a rising star in the graphic novel narrative art form, and his novel ABC has been taught at CCSF and featured in reading groups. You can find out more at his site: geneyang.com

Event: Leveling Up with Gene Yang: Mixing Magic with Graphics

Date: Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011

Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Place: San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch
100 Larkin Street
Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room
San Francisco, CA 94102

Bay Area Community Colleges Deal With Dropouts

John Delgado on "The Practicality of an English Major"

In the words of Alison Schoenberger, English Literature Club President . . .

"We will be holding a meeting this Friday, October 21, Batmale Hall room 349 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. That is all the same, however, our speakers have been moved around. For this meeting we are excited to announce Professor John Delgado speaking on 'The Practicality of an English Major - Learn how to make English as your major work for you while you're matriculating through undergraduate and graduate studies. Make stronger social and professional connections, earn more money on a part or full-time basis, use the literature you've learned to overcome obstacles in your life, personally and professionally.' 'You either have it, or you've had it!'"

Coffee, treats, a congenial lecture, chatting afterwards, and planning for future talks and events: the usual mix!

Christoph Greger's talk, originally scheduled for this Friday, will now take place on November 18th.

Thank you, and we hope to see you this Friday!

--Matt Duckworth

English Literature Club Advisor

Al Davis was an English Major!

And now the commitment to excellence
shall dominate our labs and classes more than ever.

 

B.A. in English, Syracuse '52