*headdesk*
Mar. 15th, 2004 07:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrTaken from the fox news site here.
In Atlanta, students who are "on track to attend college" but have "poor reading skills" are reading Shakespeare without Shakespearean language. Study guides translate Shakespeare into pedestrian modern English, so students don't have to struggle. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Leon Allen, a student in (Connie) Kollias' class, didn't understand the original line. But he read the translated sentence aloud with ease.
"It's nice because all those ancient words aren't there," he said. "It is a cool story — what with people making plans to kill one another. It can be difficult because everyone has strange names, but at least it isn't using any of those old words anymore."
In one version, "Beware the ides of March" in Julius Caesar becomes "Beware of March 15."
I keep wondering about students who are incapable of reading Shakespearean language yet are considered "on track to attend college." How can they do college-level work if they can't figure out "lend me your ears" isn't about organ transplants? Maybe they'll just "attend" college but not actually pass any courses.
I remember the joy I experienced when I realized that Shakespeare's "hautboys" were oboes and that the word comes from haut bois or high wood. That was so cool.
In Atlanta, students who are "on track to attend college" but have "poor reading skills" are reading Shakespeare without Shakespearean language. Study guides translate Shakespeare into pedestrian modern English, so students don't have to struggle. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Leon Allen, a student in (Connie) Kollias' class, didn't understand the original line. But he read the translated sentence aloud with ease.
"It's nice because all those ancient words aren't there," he said. "It is a cool story — what with people making plans to kill one another. It can be difficult because everyone has strange names, but at least it isn't using any of those old words anymore."
In one version, "Beware the ides of March" in Julius Caesar becomes "Beware of March 15."
I keep wondering about students who are incapable of reading Shakespearean language yet are considered "on track to attend college." How can they do college-level work if they can't figure out "lend me your ears" isn't about organ transplants? Maybe they'll just "attend" college but not actually pass any courses.
I remember the joy I experienced when I realized that Shakespeare's "hautboys" were oboes and that the word comes from haut bois or high wood. That was so cool.
no subject
Date: 2004-03-15 06:36 pm (UTC)(side note I can't log on to MSN for some reason)
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Date: 2004-03-15 08:02 pm (UTC)Mew. It bothers me - REALLY bothers me - that the dumbing down of literature is becoming acceptable. I mean it's not that hard to understand if you just sit down and try.
That's okay, I only just got the comp back (dad was doing tax stuff).
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Date: 2004-03-15 08:42 pm (UTC)Errr.. don't mind me... I'd blocked it out that you were staying off the comp -_-;;
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Date: 2004-03-15 06:44 pm (UTC)Boi, if you be saying crazy shit when yo' pissed, best be sure to represent when you ain't. Then you know to shut the fuck up.
[Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.]
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Date: 2004-03-15 07:32 pm (UTC)I'm sending you the bill for cleaning the smirnoff out of my keyboard and off my monitor and my shirt.. ;)
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Date: 2004-03-15 08:06 pm (UTC)I'll be sending mine as well.
All jokes aside, the fact that this all becoming acceptable turns me off of becoming a teacher big time. I don't think I could stand it if I was made to teach kids stupid-friendly "literature."
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Date: 2004-03-15 08:27 pm (UTC)I thought about teaching. I had this cozy little dream that consisted of me teaching first grade in a rural school somewhere in Connecticut or something.
Then I woke myself the hell up.
It's sad, but kids are becoming more outspoken and disrespectful by the day. They no longer have active imaginations nor will they simply accept answers which are qualified fact.
As much as I'd like to, I won't subject myself to that. But you shall persevere! You have more faith then I do.
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Date: 2004-03-16 09:04 am (UTC)What do you mean the bottle?
I mean to put the whole six pack. Horrible mistake, I'll fix it immediately.Kids are horrible these days, there are some I just want to smack until they're dizzy. Then I want to go home and beat their parents to a pulp.
*peers at faith* I'm not so sure I have much left, but thanks for the vote!
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Date: 2004-03-15 07:23 pm (UTC)-_- I love how they rationalize the dumbing down of America.
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Date: 2004-03-15 08:04 pm (UTC)It makes me want to cry.
...
Date: 2004-03-16 02:56 am (UTC)LORD. Okay I read Hamlet. I LOVE Hamlet. I didn't understand a lot of what was going on, but my book had (1) footnotes (2) I had a great teacher and (3) I used the Cliff's Notes as they are SUPPOSED TO BE USED to read along with Hamlet. Like, I would read and then read the corresponding Cliff's Notes and be like, "ohhh..." WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT???
That makes me want to vomit. "Beware March 15th"--what the fuck is that about? The point of the archaic language is to keep the integrity of the work and it's pretty interesting, I THINK. Whoever decided that it was a good idea to translate Shakespeare into "contemporary English" needs to be dragged out into the street and shot for being responsible for the DUMBING of America.
Re: ...
Date: 2004-03-16 08:56 am (UTC)Ah, Allie. You always say it best. Never much more to add when you'r finished.
The "Beware March 15th" really bothered me b/c Julius Caesar is my favorite play (Hamlet a realy really really close second).
If you'll help me drag them into the street, I'll bring the weapons.
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Date: 2004-03-16 06:59 am (UTC)I hate Stupid People.
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Date: 2004-03-16 08:53 am (UTC)Thank you. Books like that are not impossible to read (though I'm impressed you got through those at 12, the Odyssey isn't light reading) and ooh my gosh, they might actually be fun to read. fancy that.
Stupid People depress me.
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Date: 2004-03-16 08:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-17 04:13 am (UTC)that have a father killed,
A mother stained
Excitments to my reason and my blood
And let all asleep
while to my shame
I see the imminent death
of twenty thousand me
That for a fantasy or trick of fame
go to their graves like beds.
Fight for a plot!
And so on and so forth and such and the like.
I think that sums it up nicely...
no subject
Date: 2004-03-17 06:02 am (UTC)You're just showing off. But yet, it sums it up quite nicely.