Hope College - Milestone Yearbook (Holland, MI)

Page 21 text:

 Man never understands his own tongue until he has mas- tered some foreign language.” Such mastery of a modern for- eign language, while involving ability in writing and compre- hension. also involves to a very large extent proficiency in actual conversation. The consequent emphasis upon the spo- ken word is a unique feature of the modern language. To develop skill in pronunciation, diction, and general speaking ability, an aural-oral technique is employed in a modern language laboratory. Marguerite Meyer Prins, A.M. Head of the Department of French Donald F. Brown, Ph.D. Head of the Department of Spanish

Page 20 text:

Foreign The study of language is multifold in its benefits to the diligent student. From a study of the literature, art, and cul- ture of another people inevitably encountered in the learning of a language springs a greater understanding of all literature and art, and of one's own culture. In the rather intricate rules of operation of Latin and Greek is a matchless lesson in enlarging one’s understanding of the basic structure of language which is essential to the attainment of an increased ability to understand and commu- nicate. The mental discipline developed in the rigorous training of conjugating verbs, translating passages, and ap- plying rules arc of gTeat value for the development of re- sponsible thinking. Edward John Woltcrs, A.M. Head of the Department of Latin Ernest E. Ellcrt, Ph D. Acting Head of the Department of German Esther Mac Farlanc Snow, A.M. Rigid attention to the details ol classical languages demonstrates the basic nature of linguistic com- munication.

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Clarence Dc Graaf, Ed.D. in English Head of the Department of English Emma M. Reeverts, A.M. Joy K. Talbert, Ph.D. Henry ten Hoor, A.M. Edward E. Brand. Ed.D. Ruth Scuddcr Dc Wolfe. A.M. Sara Keith, A.M. Albert James Prins, A.M. English Every waking moment of our lives is bound in some way to English. He speak, read, write, and think in English. It is the primary practical channel through which all our knowl- edge flows. The mechanics of the language, the basic tools of grammar, are essential to its proper and most beneficial usage, and as such cannot be denied in any educational program. Certainly, however, on the college level there is far more to be gained from a study of our native tongue than a knowl- edge of the language itself. Through a controlled exposure to great literature and literary criticism, the department strives to promote reading with understanding and discrimi- nation based upon sound thinking — the primary mark of the educated man. 18