Page 1 of 3

About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 10:30 am
by JaneEyre
Excerpt from a text I find so true

What does English Language and Literature offer?

Firstly, straddling the arts and sciences, language study truly has something for everyone, and is therefore a most attractive academic subject because language impinges on all subject areas. And (yes we can coordinate sentences with a conjunction), when language description and analysis is combined with the creativity and expressiveness of a rich literary heritage, the allure will surely speak to all but the most unimaginative.

As well as a source of pleasure, creativity and imagination, literature helps develop descriptive and rhetorical skills as arguments are justified with evidence, and conclusions based on logic and reason. More than this, our rich literary tradition charts the evolution of English from its origins to the present day. The shifts in word meanings, pronunciation and grammar are evident in the texts of each generation and ‘archaisms’ were once every bit as innovative and creative then as neologisms are for us today.

Further, any discussion of politics, power, beliefs and values need only look at history see how they were expressed through words, whose meanings and uses change over time, space and context, to this day. Literature provides the documentary evidence for the ways English has evolved and surely serves to humble any strident champions of ‘correctness’.

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:47 am
by quasimodo
A useful link to the history of the english langauage.Words invented,borrowed,adapted and so the list goes on and on...............

http://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/issues_new.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Literature is an area where I tread with trepidation.

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 12:38 pm
by Daogroupie
Unfortunately the English Language A level is not rated so after GCSE you need to stick to English Literature until you get to university. Most schools don't even offer it. DG

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:02 pm
by scary mum
There is a joint literature & language A level which tempted DD for a while, but I don't know how well that is regarded.

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:07 pm
by Daogroupie
Is that the AQA one?

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:25 pm
by Kingfisher
Other boards do it as well, DAOGroupie. I know it well and advise you to steer clear!

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:45 pm
by JaneEyre
Kingfischer and Daogroupie and all other people 'in the know', (waving :D )
what do you think of the combination
English literature OCR
English language AQA
+ or - Creative writing AQA ?

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:47 pm
by Daogroupie
It seems a real shame that English Language has become tarnished like this.

Is there any board that is rated for A level English Language? DG

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 2:07 pm
by JaneEyre
Daogroupie wrote:Unfortunately the English Language A level is not rated so after GCSE you need to stick to English Literature until you get to university. Most schools don't even offer it. DG
Daogroupie, is the Creative writing A level better rated than the English language one?

Re: About English Language and Literature

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 2:15 pm
by Guest55
Daogroupie wrote:Unfortunately the English Language A level is not rated so after GCSE you need to stick to English Literature until you get to university. Most schools don't even offer it. DG
Sorry - where do you get that information from? It is rated for degrees like computer science.