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October 26, 2008
Teacher Development - the new comparative trend
Hello readers,
As you know, English is a living language, which means that it changes with time. One of the recent changes is that of the decline in the comparative 'er' marker. I only became aware of this trend a few months ago, but since then, I've heard examples of the new trend on a daily basis. Instead of 'it's easier', I've heard 'it's more easy'. Instead of 'she's prettier', it's 'she's more pretty'. I've also heard people combining 'more' with 'er', e.g., 'more hungrier'. While my stomach sinks every time I hear such examples, ...
... it's probably time that I come to terms with the fact that the good old comparative structures that I used to teach in my ESL classes may be disappearing from the English language.
For the next few weeks, I'd like you to pay attention to comparative adjective structures. When you hear an example, jot it down and post it here.
For example, from tonight's Dispatches: Jon Snow's Journey on Channel 4 (in the UK), an American man told Jon Snow that he was 'more angry'.
I look forward to reading some of the examples that you've found - whether it's from a television show, a film, a radio program, or just from a conversation with a friend or colleague.
Carol
Writer, ESL Lesson Plan
E-mail: crueckert@eslemployment.com
Blog: www.esl-lesson-plan.com
"I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand." - Chinese Proverb
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About the author of this entry:
Carol, a native English-speaker hailing from the small town of St. Joseph in Minnesota, USA, worked in China for more than 7 years. During that time, she worked at universities, private language schools, grade schools, international schools, and did private tutoring as well. Besides teaching, she also worked as a Head teacher, an Education Manager, and a Material Development Manager. In addition to working on this newsletter, she also writes a monthly column for Time Out Beijing, authors ESL textbooks for publishing houses in China, and is an Editor for Garnet Publishing in England. Carol holds a BA in Communications from the College of St. Benedict/ St. John's University, and a CELTA, and has just finished her MA TESOL course at Oxford Brookes University. Look for her posts on the ESL-Jobs-Forum discussion boards!
Posted by crueckert at October 26, 2008 03:24 PM
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Comments
'I'm more proud than ever'...
13 Nov 08
~ Sarah Palin
Posted by: Carol at November 14, 2008 03:02 PM
I am happy that you brought this up because when I tell my students down here in my Dominican Republic that English speaking people also use double comparative, double negative, etc. and I remind them that the same thing happens when we speak Spanish. Then, there is when you have to point out that usually the language you hear is not the language you see. But as long as they can get their ideas through, not to stress themselves over this kind of error.
Posted by: Teodoro Pérez at November 16, 2008 07:59 AM
...'more tasty'...
- Claudia Winkleman on Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live 21 Nov 08
Posted by: Carol at November 21, 2008 04:54 PM
When teaching comparative to my students i had the sensation that apart from the gramar rules there was a way of using comparatives free from the theory and more related to the musicality of adjectives and the specific uses. So, it is easier to say happier than more happy but sometimes it sounds better someone more hungry than someone hungrier.
This is just an idea or perception it is not a prescriptive comment
Posted by: demien at December 2, 2008 11:44 AM
