Huh, interesting article. I guess I could see how your brain would be more likely to stay fixated or concentrated on odd phrases that sound kind of off or different than those that are correct or very everyday. Not really much more to say than that, I would think.
I don't know what I really think about the article. The first time that I read it, I thought it was a really long shot. After rereading it, I guess it makes more sense, but I'm still not convinced that the research has a point. I don't completely understand the positive benefits of having people going around bending the English language to their whims, after all, the gramatical rules are in place so that we can understand what we are all saying.
The only Shakespearean play I have read in its entirety is the tragedy "Hamlet," and just tackling the first soliloquy made me realize that this was a linguist's delight - the little gems of insults and multiple meanings and nouns used as verbs and vice versa - a work of a genius or a madman? I vouch for both, and in doing so I have to disagree with Francisco. Language isn't meant to be taken like a math formula. Maybe the elusiveness of words is what cudgles the brain and leaves so much of Shakespeare up to interpretation - and makes the Bard's bestsellers worthwhile reads.
@Lisa I see your delight in Shakespeare's works, however, I fail to see how your points conflict with mine. I was merely stating how I do not see the point of having people adjust the English language merely because they want to express themselves more successfully. Shakespeare's writing may be the work of a genius and/or a madman, but I don't see how that can make you smarter the way it is explained in the article.
@Francisco I can't claim to comprehend all the complexities of the brain, but it just seems like a logical conjecture that the little quirks of Shakespeare's works (unintended rhyme) would broaden the reader's linguistic horizons. Besides, he didn't exactly mutilate English "to express himself more successfully;" he probably made a larger conribution to our lexicon than any other person in history. Mad geniuses can play by their own rules. :)
@Cat and Francisco Well, the brain- like any other organ- needs excercise to function to its paramount extent. Not only are Shakespeare's works demanding reads, requiring a higher level of concentration, but the little quirks (or mistakes, if you prefer) may trigger the brain to perceive language in a new way. This takes a tad more brain activity, and opens mental pathways for one to experiment using words in a whole new meaning and context, as Shakespeare himself did. I thought it could be concluded that the increased brain activity would equate increased brain productivity as well, and the new "mental pathways" would, in the long run, increase semantic capabilities.
I'm not against it. Obviously, it's out there, and you guys will use it. I just want you to try it on your own first. Shakespeare will be a part of your lives for a few more years: unwanted for some!
While it's true that I preferred the mechanics' part over the nobles, I didn't hate Scene One. It just required a little more concentration. Shakespeare's not bad so far.
Shakespeare was being creative with his word choice. When using a noun as a verb or changing the tenses to be used in other forms, shakespeare allowed the mind of an average, modern human being to twist their brains to come up with a certain explanation for what he is saying. I think it does make us smarter, because it challenges us to use our brains in a certain way that we never have before.
Interesting! I can definitelty see how Shakespeare challenges my brain by morphing a "linear language." The brain needs challenge and excercise and I can tell from scene 1 and 2 that A Midsummer Night's Dream will do just that.
Clearly Shakespeare's writings will enhance vocabulary but the article doesn't say in what way does it make you smarter. All it says is that he is very creative with word choice (eg. using a pronoun as a noun) but doesn't quite show how that will make a person smarter.
Well, it seems like almost everyone's got down to the point of the article, but still - I reiterate! :)
What comes to my mind when I think about trying to explain that article is an analogy between veggies and Shakespeare. Most people really don't want to eat vegetables, but every now and then, our parents (English teachers) make us eat 'em, and maybe somebody did something right, but it turns out that their delicious, and not only that, their beneficial, too!
Plus, I've already had a couple of those moments when I'm reading "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and I go over those three pesky lines a couple times before it clicks. Then there's that sense of, "Hey, that's clever and witty! Incredible!"
So yeah, there's absolutely rhyme and reason to the theory the article is proposing, which is basically that reading something as challenging and creative (and maybe a little 'wrong') as Shakespeare, can really make the mind expand and recognize new pieces of literature.
Before reading Shakespeare, I thought it was impossible to understand and extremely boring, but once I actually started to get the hang of it, I realized how incredible Shakespeare was. It challenges my mind tremendously but it helps me use my brain in ways I don't usually use in daily life. -Victoria Baram p.4
Always remember to use proper writing conventions when posting a comment on this blog! Please include your LA PERIOD, first name, and initial of last name, so I know who you are!
Huh, interesting article. I guess I could see how your brain would be more likely to stay fixated or concentrated on odd phrases that sound kind of off or different than those that are correct or very everyday. Not really much more to say than that, I would think.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I really think about the article. The first time that I read it, I thought it was a really long shot. After rereading it, I guess it makes more sense, but I'm still not convinced that the research has a point. I don't completely understand the positive benefits of having people going around bending the English language to their whims, after all, the gramatical rules are in place so that we can understand what we are all saying.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco Rivera pd. 5
The only Shakespearean play I have read in its entirety is the tragedy "Hamlet," and just tackling the first soliloquy made me realize that this was a linguist's delight - the little gems of insults and multiple meanings and nouns used as verbs and vice versa - a work of a genius or a madman? I vouch for both, and in doing so I have to disagree with Francisco. Language isn't meant to be taken like a math formula. Maybe the elusiveness of words is what cudgles the brain and leaves so much of Shakespeare up to interpretation - and makes the Bard's bestsellers worthwhile reads.
ReplyDeleteLisa B.
P. 4
@Lisa - Perfection. :)
ReplyDelete@Lisa I see your delight in Shakespeare's works, however, I fail to see how your points conflict with mine. I was merely stating how I do not see the point of having people adjust the English language merely because they want to express themselves more successfully. Shakespeare's writing may be the work of a genius and/or a madman, but I don't see how that can make you smarter the way it is explained in the article.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco Rivera
@Francisco I can't claim to comprehend all the complexities of the brain, but it just seems like a logical conjecture that the little quirks of Shakespeare's works (unintended rhyme) would broaden the reader's linguistic horizons. Besides, he didn't exactly mutilate English "to express himself more successfully;" he probably made a larger conribution to our lexicon than any other person in history. Mad geniuses can play by their own rules. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa Burgoa
@Lisa
ReplyDeleteWhat Sisco is asking is for you to explain the "logical conjecture" behind Shakespeare's usage of language expanding our "linguistic horizons".
@Cat and Francisco
ReplyDeleteWell, the brain- like any other organ- needs excercise to function to its paramount extent. Not only are Shakespeare's works demanding reads, requiring a higher level of concentration, but the little quirks (or mistakes, if you prefer) may trigger the brain to perceive language in a new way. This takes a tad more brain activity, and opens mental pathways for one to experiment using words in a whole new meaning and context, as Shakespeare himself did. I thought it could be concluded that the increased brain activity would equate increased brain productivity as well, and the new "mental pathways" would, in the long run, increase semantic capabilities.
You can all thank me later. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd/
Do me a favor. Try reading it on your own first. You can do it!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know. :) I did, and I understood. I just ran across this while surfing the web and thought it might be helpful.
ReplyDeleteI'm not against it. Obviously, it's out there, and you guys will use it. I just want you to try it on your own first. Shakespeare will be a part of your lives for a few more years: unwanted for some!
ReplyDeleteWhile it's true that I preferred the mechanics' part over the nobles, I didn't hate Scene One. It just required a little more concentration. Shakespeare's not bad so far.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare was being creative with his word choice. When using a noun as a verb or changing the tenses to be used in other forms, shakespeare allowed the mind of an average, modern human being to twist their brains to come up with a certain explanation for what he is saying. I think it does make us smarter, because it challenges us to use our brains in a certain way that we never have before.
ReplyDeleteMeredith Sheldon
Period 3
Interesting! I can definitelty see how Shakespeare challenges my brain by morphing a "linear language." The brain needs challenge and excercise and I can tell from scene 1 and 2 that A Midsummer Night's Dream will do just that.
ReplyDeleteRyan G p6
Clearly Shakespeare's writings will enhance vocabulary but the article doesn't say in what way does it make you smarter. All it says is that he is very creative with word choice (eg. using a pronoun as a noun) but doesn't quite show how that will make a person smarter.
ReplyDeleteClick the link in the article, Brett. That takes you to the proof.
ReplyDeleteWell, it seems like almost everyone's got down to the point of the article, but still - I reiterate! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat comes to my mind when I think about trying to explain that article is an analogy between veggies and Shakespeare. Most people really don't want to eat vegetables, but every now and then, our parents (English teachers) make us eat 'em, and maybe somebody did something right, but it turns out that their delicious, and not only that, their beneficial, too!
Plus, I've already had a couple of those moments when I'm reading "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and I go over those three pesky lines a couple times before it clicks. Then there's that sense of, "Hey, that's clever and witty! Incredible!"
So yeah, there's absolutely rhyme and reason to the theory the article is proposing, which is basically that reading something as challenging and creative (and maybe a little 'wrong') as Shakespeare, can really make the mind expand and recognize new pieces of literature.
Long respone...
Eve M.
Before reading Shakespeare, I thought it was impossible to understand and extremely boring, but once I actually started to get the hang of it, I realized how incredible Shakespeare was. It challenges my mind tremendously but it helps me use my brain in ways I don't usually use in daily life.
ReplyDelete-Victoria Baram p.4