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Whatever happened to the English language?

A lot of debate has been generated over the last few years about English as the official language of the USA. The concern is that if [we] don’t force immigrants to learn and speak English, then it may eventually get eclipsed as accepted language of communication in our nation.

According to Wilson Watson, a recently retired college professor, it may be too late. During his 35 years of teaching, he began to collect sentences used by his native speaking students. His archive includes some humorous misstatements and malapropisms, such as:

  • Some people use bad language and is not even aware of the fact.
  • Romeo and Juliet exchanged their vowels.
  • A very good thing for your health is the Arabic exercise.
  • My brother and I took a fairy across to Martha’s Vineyard.

Perhaps there needs to be a movement to multiplay English as First Language (EFL) classes. You can read the whole list in the Baltimore Examiner.

Tom Ascol has served as a Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL since 1986. Prior to moving to Florida he served as pastor and associate pastor of churches in Texas. He has a BS degree in sociology from Texas A&M University (1979) and has also earned the MDiv and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. He has served as an adjunct professor of theology for various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary, the Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, African Christian University, Copperbelt Ministerial College, and Reformed Baptist Seminary. He has also served as Visiting Professor at the Nicole Institute for Baptist Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Tom serves as the President of Founders Ministries and The Institute of Public Theology. He has edited the Founders Journal, a quarterly theological publication of Founders Ministries, and has written hundreds of articles for various journals and magazines. He has been a regular contributor to TableTalk, the monthly magazine of Ligonier Ministries. He has also edited and contributed to several books, including Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry, The Truth and Grace Memory Books for children and  Recovering the Gospel and Reformation of Churches. He is also the author of From the Protestant Reformation to the Southern Baptist Convention, Traditional Theology and the SBC and Strong and Courageous. Tom regularly preaches and lectures at various conferences throughout the United States and other countries. In addition he regularly contributes articles to the Founders website and hosts a weekly podcast called The Sword & The Trowel. He and his wife Donna have six children along with four sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law. They have sixteen grandchildren.
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