I am a little concerned about the current Apple campaign. Apparently, the new iPod is "The Funnest iPod Ever." Whether this is true or not is really of no concern to me. However, I am concerned over “funnest.” Last I checked the proper conjugation of fun was fun, more fun, and most fun. Maybe The Most Fun iPod Ever just does not have the same ring.
I am concerned because it suggests to me that Apple may have a chance to change the English language, and maybe more so than schools. If I am being paranoid, please tell me. Or am I just a traditionalist who is unwilling to change with the times? Yet, with the Internet Google has become a verb. Who should have the power? The Oxford English Dictionary? Apple? The classroom teacher? Is Foucault correct in suggesting that those who possess power shape the knowledge?
Grammar Girl explains the difference between using most fun and funnest. She seems to side on using most fun, which is ironic because her podcasts ranked number two podcast at iTunes.
Is “The Funnest iPod Ever” ad campaign an issue worth exploring in a Sociology course? Does it touch on anything that we have covered thus far?
In the end, this ad campaign makes for a perfect teachable moment for English and Social Studies. But, should we be wary next time a student brings an Apple to class?
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It's 2009 and almost 2010. Funnest should be a word by now! That is just how I feel. Grammar girl does not know what she is talking about. I bet that it is only a matter of time before the word funnest gets added to the dictionary.
ReplyDeleteI am not opposed to the idea of funnest being added to the dictionary.
ReplyDeleteI am opposed to the way in which "funnest" may be added to the dictionary. If "funnest" is added to the dictionary because of an iPod ad campaign that suggests to me that the Marxists may be right, that is, changes occur when the economy changes. This scares me because that means that schools are unable to affect change.
I would want to teach because I want to make a difference. If schools only function to reinforce the status quo, then, as a teacher, I cannot affect change and make a difference. I fail to believe that I cannot make a difference.
Finally, I believe that Grammar Girl has a pretty good idea of what she's talking about and I do look forward to using her to spice up grammar instruction in the classroom.
Well, admittedly I have listened to Grammar Girl podcasts on ITunes. However, I would argue that people have been using the word funnest in casual conversation before the iPod campaign. IF the word "funnest" was added to the dictionary how could you actually prove that the addition was the direct result of the iPod campaign? I think that would be a hard sell since I have heard people using this word far in advance of the iPod marketing strategy.
ReplyDeleteI also think that you can still make a difference via teaching. You may be reinforcing the status quo at times, but you need to look beyond the overt curriculum. You can make a difference through relationships you form with your students. Building positive relationships with students is one of my "gifts" of teaching. I have been able to look past of the overt curriculum. I think you need to look beyond the obvious curriculum.
I do agree with you that people were using funnest before the iPod campaign and that it might be difficult to prove, if funnest found its way into the dictionary, that the iPod campaign had anything to do with it. But I am just concerned that iPod campaigns have a wider audience than schools and that the campaign may have more influence than schools.
ReplyDeleteI am just glad that Grammar Girl is also questioning the grammar of this campaign. It suggests that I am not alone in my most fun campaign.