Your High School English teacher... [Archive]

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TrippyTom

11-21-2006, 11:39 AM

I was wondering if anyone else feels scarred for life by the abuse inflicted upon them from their High School English teachers (or is it just me?)

Ironically, they are the teachers I remember most (along with the math/computer teacher -- She rocked!)

Ken Puls

11-21-2006, 11:45 AM

LOL! No, it's not just you. ;) My 10th grade English teacher still haunts my dreams... she was a real horror story!
:ack:

Zack Barresse

11-21-2006, 02:31 PM

Hmm, does my 11th grade Spanish teacher count? My English teachers were cool (probably because I was only good at that and math).

Bob Phillips

11-22-2006, 02:19 PM

Judging by the assault on the English language by Americans, I would have thought all of you have been abused by language teachers ( I hesitate to call them English teachers).

mdmackillop

11-22-2006, 03:14 PM

Not only language, but Pints, Quarts and Gallons. Give them time and they'll reconfigure Pounds to 500 grammes so that everyone will weigh a little less!:devil2:

Ken Puls

11-22-2006, 03:18 PM

Over here that would be grams. ;)

Oh! And you'll like this... a 26 ounce bottle (750ml) actually only has 25 US ounces in it. For some reason our American friends need to consume more in a single shot of liquor than the rest of us. :)

Zack Barresse

11-22-2006, 03:19 PM

Oh settle down, settle down. Just because of a few million bad apples, doesn't mean that we all speak bad English (yes, the language). ;)

Ken Puls

11-22-2006, 03:22 PM

wouldn't that be "speak poor English"? :devil2:

johnske

11-22-2006, 03:38 PM

Bob Phillips

11-23-2006, 04:02 AM

wouldn't that be "speak poor English"? :devil2:

:rotlaugh:

Actually, it would be '.., speak English badly ...', English can never be poor, it is a very rich language.

Bob Phillips

11-23-2006, 04:07 AM

The thing is this - if I were an english teacher who was forced to teach "American English" (the spelling... AAAGGGHH!!) I think I would feel pretty aggro about it and would probably scar the students for life...

Actually, much of the American idiom is just old English, phrases such as fall and sidewalk were used in the old days, but the language has evolved over here, but not in the US. Somewhat ironic that the land that prides itself so much on its pioneering spirit still adheres to old language.

But I agree with the spelling, it seems so unnecessary. But the worst just has to be trying to turn nouns into verbs.

lucas

11-23-2006, 07:42 AM

Don't let your guard down Bob or we will Americanize ya:devil2: .

Bob Phillips

11-23-2006, 12:04 PM

Don't let your guard down Bob or we will Americanize ya:devil2: .

Steve,

I love the US, and (many) Americans (can't say I have many good feelings towards your president!), even lived there for a bit a few years back. Having said that, I very much doubt that that I will ever be anything other than a Wessex man, first, English second, European third.

mdmackillop

11-23-2006, 03:11 PM

a Wessex man, first, English second, European third.
So doesn't British doesn't get a mention? :whistle:

Bob Phillips

11-23-2006, 04:46 PM

So doesn't British doesn't get a mention? :whistle:

Not really in my world. Where I am I am much closer to France, Belgium, et al than I am to SCotland or Ireland. Wales is manageable, but even with my Welsh roots I do not identify. I am afraid that, though I love the Welsh and the Scots, British is not something that means anything to me, whereas European does.

lucas

11-24-2006, 07:31 AM

Steve,

I love the US, and (many) Americans (can't say I have many good feelings towards your president!), even lived there for a bit a few years back. Having said that, I very much doubt that that I will ever be anything other than a Wessex man, first, English second, European third.

Seems that through a poor choice of words that I may have on some level offended....that was not my intention. I love the diversity here at the forum and don't really wish to change anyone. I was just trying to use a proper noun as a verb.....and did a poor job of it...:doh:

Bob Phillips

11-24-2006, 11:14 AM

Seems that through a poor choice of words that I may have on some level offended....that was not my intention. I love the diversity here at the forum and don't really wish to change anyone. I was just trying to use a proper noun as a verb.....and did a poor job of it...:doh:

Not me Steve (as I often say, if Harlan Grove has been unable to offend me, you guys have no chance!).

I took your comment as a jest (must admit I missed the verbifying (like that?)though), and tried to respond in a like manner stating my cultural pride. I also didn't want anyone thinking that I was anti-American in any way. I am proud to be Wessex, and I don't agree with everything that America and Americans do, but I don't think I am anti.

mdmackillop

11-24-2006, 06:11 PM

Never been Groved, but it doesn't sound nice!

Ken Puls

11-24-2006, 11:17 PM

I've only seen a couple of Harlan's posts. The man is a talent, no question, but a little rough from what I've seen. :)

Bob Phillips

11-25-2006, 04:49 AM

Never been Groved, but it doesn't sound nice!

I have, many times, and in a perverse sort of way, I enjoy it. You probably know that I am not easily intimidated, so I feel quite capable of holding my own. The thing is that Harlan is good, and I mean GOOD, so even when we are hammer and tongs at each other, I still feel able to pick something out that is useful to me. The main difference between us is that I believe that Harlan thinks that intellectual rigour is the most important thing, and anything else should be sacrificed at its altar. I am far more pragmatic, and know that sometimes I have to cutr corners because teh deadline is more important the absolute quality. We disagree, but I respect him like hell.

Zack Barresse

11-26-2006, 03:12 PM

It is hard not to respect the mans [Harlan] intellectual capabilities. The rest is up for debate. ;)

My respect for him lies in the fact that he still attempts to share his knowledge with the world. Very commendable - for anyone. :yes

shades

12-01-2006, 03:19 PM

Let's see, High School English? I'm not sure if they were inventing HS or English about the time I showed up...

Actually my Junior High and High School English teachers gave me a solid foundation that has served me well through four years of college and 9 years of post graduate education, including 9 years in the Navy, 14 years as pastor, and analyst for 7 years.

Yep, they done did me rite by their teachin' and such.