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The English Language

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The English Language
The English Language

Everyone has a different interpretation of the word, “invention”. However the word is simply defined as; a new device, method of process developed from study and experimentation. An invention is just a mental fabrication; it’s a falsehood (Dictionary.com 2013).1 Although in the essays, “Why I write” by Joan Didion, “Life in a new Language” by Eva Hoffman, and “Basmati Rice: An Essay about Words” by Audrey Thomas, each author has their own view on the English language, how they each began inventing their own writing styles, and also their reasons for why they chose to become writers. These are the three things that make their definitions of invention very particular and their own. In today’s society, there are a variety of cultures that participate in a variety of different languages; therefore we all have our own ideas and feelings about our own language and these other cultures and their languages. Eva Hoffman shows us this in her essay, “Life in a new Language”. In Hoffman’s essay she talks about what is was like to be a young Polish girl forced to learn the English language after moving to Vancouver, BC. When someone is forced to do something they really don’t want to do it usually causes them to despise or dislike whatever it is they’re being forced to do. Because she grew up speaking Polish she may have had a hard time learning such a different language like English making it difficult for her to really enjoy all the language has to offer. Although in the end of her essay she explains that she realized English really wasn’t that bad and it really does have a lot to offer her. Didion and Thomas’ experience with the English language was always good, they were never forced to learn it, they just grew up speaking English. They both really enjoyed exploring it and creating different ideas, this made writing fun for them right from the ‘get-go’.

Every writer has their own views and feelings about English and writing and how
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