Learning the English Language
Uploaded by natalie227 on Nov 18, 2008
Many people have different interpretations of the meaning for the word invention. However, invention simply means the act or process of inventing a new device, method or process developed from study and experimentation, a mental fabrication, a falsehood, a discovery, a finding (American Heritage Dictionary, 2008). Although in the essays entitled “Why I Write” by Joan Didion, “Life in a New Language” by Eva Hoffman and “Basmati Rice: An Essay about Words” by Audrey Thomas, the authors all have different views on the English language, how they begin to invent their text as well as the reasons in which the author chooses to write make their views of invention for writing incredibly unique.
In the world today, there are many different cultures that practice different languages. Due to the fact that cultures believe in different _____________________ we all have our own ideas and feelings towards our own language as well as the language of a different culture. This is shown through the works of Eva Hoffman in “Life in a New Language”. Throughout this essay Eva write about a person who is Polish who is forced to learn the English language. By being forced to learn the language, she may come to despise it since it is quite different from her own language and therefore may have difficulties to come and enjoy the English language and all that it has to offer. In the end however, Eva demonstrates that once you know about English and have practiced it time and again, it is easier to come to love. In contrast Didion and Thomas both loved the English language right from the beginning. They explore and have fun creating different aspects and ideas with the language so that writing is fun to them. ***
Not only do writers have their own views about English writing and how they write but each and every person has their own way to write. One way to begin writing is by asking yourself questions and responding to them throughout your writings. This is a method in which Joan Didion used when writing “Why I Write,” along with the method of analysing a particular group of people in a specific place and with not knowing them you make them a character in your story. The author may use the appearance of the person in his/her writing, however, the author does not know characteristics of the person and therefore...