<p>I’m a French studies major and I’m wondering what an English major thinks of what I’m about to say. I hope no one gets mad or anything, this is just something I’m curious about and I’m not trying to start a fight. :)</p>
<p>I see that English degrees are very popular, moreso than a lot of foreign language programs. After studying French, I’ve formed the opinion that foreign language degrees of any kind are more beneficial than English degrees. Not only do you gain cultural perspective and proficiency in another language, but you also gain the skills that come with an English degree. Studying French has improved my English, and I’ve heard others tell me the same thing. I’ve also compared program curriculum guides and it seems like we do the same things that English majors do which is read and analyze a bunch of literature. My opinion is obviously one-sided, and that’s why I’m wondering what an English major thinks.</p>
<p>BTW, I know some English majors are going to point out that this post is poorly written. It’s 3:25 am on my end and I’m typing this while I should be sleeping, LOL!</p>
<p>Well, I look forward to reading your responses.</p>
<p>I can’t speak on behalf of an English major-I’m a comparative literature major, but from my experience at the school I attend, majoring in a different language department, such as French, German, Spanish, etc. requires you to be able to read, write, and speak fluently the language you are studying. It’s not like you can just major in French, and take all your French classes in translation. I doubt most people enter college having a strong command of a second language to do their whole coursework in the second language. Even as a native Spanish speaker, my abilities are not to the level where I can just read a novel without having to hit a dictionary. Even if I were to learn a language from scratch during my freshman year, my language skills in that language would never be as strong as if I had known it before college, so that I can then do the coursework without trouble.
Some English departments do allow you to take foreign language literature classes in translation, and I’m sure this is what often lead some to major in English vs French, Italian, German, etc.
Most english majors are allowed electives, and sometimes those electives can be chosen from other language literature departments.</p>
<p>From an English major…</p>
<p>I think English is likely more popular because let’s face it, it’s an easy default major. Pretty much everyone could be a mediocre to acceptable English major without a whole lot of effort, so long as you put in the time. Being an outstanding English major is a different kettle of fish. Let’s face it: Majoring in a foreign language requires you to <em>learn</em> a foreign language. If you’re not a natural at languages, that’s hard! Most people entering into American universities already have (or should have) a decent command of the English language.</p>
<p>I’m right there with you on the benefits of learning a foreign language. Learning Latin significantly improved my grammar, usage and vocabulary. But don’t be too quick to dismiss English in terms of attaining a cultural education. Even if you study the standard American or British lit, you’re still gaining mastery over hundreds of years–thousands, even–of culture. With the growing popularity of post-colonial studies, South African studies, Caribbean studies, etc., the educational possibilities broaden. And that doesn’t even consider other niche areas: Women’s lit, racial and ethnic studies, children’s lit, etc. </p>
<p>Personally, I’m crap at learning languages, so I found comparative lit programs intimidating if very interesting. But English lit <em>does</em> have a lot to offer.</p>
<p>“Studying French has improved my English, and I’ve heard others tell me the same thing.”
I’m guessing that studying English would improve your English too lol :P</p>
<p>^ The point I was making is that foreign language degrees can give you everything an English degree can, and more.</p>