Coincidently taught my engineering students literature (well, just a tiny part of literature). How did it happen? During the class, some of them used CAPITAL LETTERS in the CV write up. And I was just explaining on how all the words were screaming at me, wanting my undivided attention, oh and it annoyed me. (Thinks it annoys everyone) Writing in CAPS is considered rude, as if you're shouting to the readers. I suppose everybody knows this. Right?
So long story short! The poem Si Tenggang's Homecoming comes to my mind, on why the author used small letter of i instead of I in his poem. It's so brilliant that I only happen to know this during Dr Edwin's class (undergrad). Something that english teachers in school failed to explain or couldn't be bothered, about the essence of the poem, instead, rushing to finish up the syllabus. But, blaming teachers alone is absurd. Policy makers? Got it?
So, the reason on why the small i instead the big I is, the small i symbolizes his humbleness. Well I don't really want to go in depth about this poem but you can read it here, then you'll know what I mean.
So, anyway, I don't really believe that literature is not for everybody. Yes, It requires high order thinking skills (some think it's not as tougher as physics, math etc) *roll eyes* and it could really make us understand certain cultures better. IF you wanna learn English, you have to learn their literature. Literature is essential in learning a second or foreign language. Hope you know why. If not, go and ask your English teacher. =p
No comments:
Post a Comment