Can we ignore grammar? (1) - 20110805

In China, the students who majoring in English need have to learn many courses related disciplines in the univeisity university 1. Such as These disciplines include comprehensive English, European culture, formal writing, Aadvanced grammar,pronunciation & and oral English and with listening. We have Some of our teachers come from western countries. It seems that the university/education workload is very considerate considerable. The English majors are trained in every aspect of the language and its culture.

How about the result? And 2. the result is... Few of my classmates can communicate fluently with foreigners. More than three fifths work without English, they don't regard English as a necessary part now. Others are just similar with me, we use English at work. More than three fifths of my classmates do not have the need to use English in their work while others like me do need it.

My friends admire me when they learn that I can talk with foreigners whether they are my bosses and or friends. I don't think it's worth any pride. However, I don't think I could have done any better.  I have limited time to improve my spoken English. Anyway, I try my best to read more and speak more. I wish I could can go to some English-speaking country in the near future. The influence of native speakers is more effective beneficial. Then This means that I would have to give up my job, and my parents would become anxious about my me being alone abroad alone. Then I would have to come back soon. Maybe I will never leave China.

Ok, now the If I cannot leave China, the problem is becomes obvious: How can I learn by myself or how can I use practice my English better short of moving more  proficiently? All is based on Chinese atmosphere. For all practical purposes, the English used here is more like "Chingish" 3 not all at proper in my eyes.

Thank God! I am not a primary 4 beginner. I can got get 5 help from books, vidoes, and friends. I benefit from all the channels available. 6. I never expect myself to be much better to master the language overnight. I just want to make a little progress everday every day. It is enough for me - "Many a little makes a mickle" 7. I will keep learning until I am six foot under too old.

Last night, I read a report on about language learning last night. The author suggests Chinese students to ignore grammar. 8 It's said that native English speakers seldom study grammar. They start with pronunciation. There is the Same situation as kids in China learning their Chinese mother tongue. I asked my friend why he can speak Polish, the pronuncation of which is very difficult its words are so difficult to pronounce. He laughed, "It is my mother language." Kids have are geniuses in when comes to learning.

Young children learn how to speak by imitation. Can we adults learn in the same way? Can we step out from the this learning paradigm? Translating English to Chinese from one language to another can help in understanding, meanwhile it may bring dependence if we emphasize the contrast too much. but over emphasis on it will make you become dependent. 9

1.  Redundant.  Only in colleges (US) and universities (UK) does one major in something.

2.  This is one of the rare cases that I begin a sentence with "and"! 

3.  "Chinglish" a mixture of English and Chinese used in the Chinese environment.  "Singlish" is the English used in Singapore all it's local flavours mixed in.  "Spanglish" is the English mostly referred to in Hispanic cultures of the Americas.  These sort of terms are more often used in a derogatory manner than in flattery.

4. Redundant.  Here "primary" means beginning and not to mean "main"

5.  All verbs after, "can", "could", "may", "might", "shall", "should", "must", "may", "might" MUST BE IN PRESENT TENSE.

6.   Redundant and long winded.

7.  To all those who say correcting someone's essay whose command of the language is less than yours is a one way street is totally not the case.  Here is a brilliant example.  I have never heard of this proverb!  Now I learnt something new!

8.  Who ever wrote this is obviously a fakir!  We all have to learn grammar with all its technical terms like, past participle, gerunds, etc which as in Chinese saying, "all given back to the teacher".  The only big difference is that kids already know the meaning of the words and how to use them but not the reason for it.  In grammar school (primary school) we have to learn all its grammar rules etc in all its gory details.  Think about it when you learn Chinese.  You already understand what the teacher is talking already.  This is the main difference - whether you have daily practice or not.

9.   My Chinese is not that great after all.  After you had written the explanation in Chinese, I still could not get the meaning.  Are you talking about mechanical translators?  If so, indeed your words ring true.  The translation has no soul.  If you are talking about human translation, then the translator must be well verse in both languages and experienced enough of both cultures in order to reflect accurately the meaning.  For example, try translating 見過鬼都怕黑.... In general it should not be translated, "afraid of the dark after seeing a ghost" but "once bitten twice shy" 

(To be continued)