I learned much in the majors I'm in: English, Education and Chinese. But, today, I would like to highlight my favorite subject (and also the one that gives me the most headaches), English. Here's a few stereotypes of an English major that I would like to de-myth and others to confirm. (Disclaimer: This is just from a single English major, so I speak for myself as according to these stereotypes, not for the others.)
1. ENGLISH MAJORS ARE GRAMMAR NAZIS.
On the contrary, I am definitely NOT a grammar Nazi, for fear of my own lack of expertise in the topic. I would prefer the term grammar citizen; like our fellow citizens, if the problem is glaringly wrong, I'd remark or comment on it. Otherwise, if it's not harming anybody, (or if I'm not entirely sure what is actually the correct versus incorrect, more likely) I'd just let it pass. Also, I don't want to be a hypocrite. How can I correct somebody's grammar if I don't really have complete mastery of my own? So, until I finally understand what exactly is a predicate noun and how to apply fancy stuff like adverbial pronoun clauses (or something like that) in a proper, grammatically and punctually correct (those darn commas!) sentence, expect me to be lenient with your grammar. (At least, in speech. In a formal paper, (which YOU asked me to edit) expect differently.)
2. ENGLISH MAJORS LIKE CATS.
I really don't know where this came from. But, I've read so many satirical comics on the subject, plus the list of famous authors who owned cats (Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, T.S. Eliot, the list goes one and on and on...), and lastly, but definitely not least, my own English professor/advisor has a cat. I saw it with my own two eyes. Plus, now I have a legitimate reason (excuse) now for liking cats and watching cat videos so much (I'm pretty sure I've watched at least three-fourths of the popular cat videos on YouTube.) This stereotype is probably true. (If not, I'm definitely advocating for it.)
3. ENGLISH MAJORS SAY FUNNY STUFF.
We quote interesting stuff! As I learn more in this major, yes, Chaucer does go from my mind as, "that one guy with the weird English works" to, "the greatest Middle English writer and the father of poetry." Yes, Shakespeare became much more than just Romeo and Juliet. If you don't understand what we're saying, no, we're not speaking Klingnon. It's probably just Middle English, maybe some Latin thrown in there once a while (still essentially English). "And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche" ~ Chaucer (Before you ask, yes, that is English.)
As Mark Twain said, "Education: the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty." I find it true. The more I learn, the more I don't know. (Did that even make sense? Was that even proper grammar? I have sheepish inkling it might not.) However, this is the major I chose, and the deeper I go into it, the more interesting it seems. For all my sidetracking, here's a perspective of a floundering English major, take it as you will. (Please don't correct my grammar. My pride is permanently bruised at this point.)
