The Modal Verb by Chipka
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Description
I didn’t learn about modal verbs until life changed to the degree that I had to explain precisely what modal verbs are. As a native English speaker, my commonplace environment does not actually require a massive awareness of how English works, or what all of those words and phrases are actually called. As a native-speaker, I get to fly by instinct and say all sorts of things without ever thinking about them. Dumb-animal repetition is the right of the native speakers of any language, but once one switches languages, one should become aware of every insignificant bit of linguistic minutiae. This is doubly-important when you’re expected to deal with Czech students like a guy named Petr. (The members of my training class affectionately called him “Petr the Teacher Eater.” He was a great student, a challenge.
Petr (the Teacher Eater) earned his nickname (apparently) through very polite combat. Like quite a number of Central and Eastern Europeans, he’s incredibly analytical. Trainee teachers deciding to “rest on their laurels” as native English speakers are advised to do your homework if you have Petr as a student. He knows just enough English to get you in trouble. And he doesn’t mind getting you in trouble. He knows just enough English to say (in class:) “I don’t believe you.” If you’re a trainee teacher and Petr calls you out like that, there’s no turning back. If you’re explaining English grammar, then you’d better know all there is about English grammar. If you’re explaining the differences between formal and informal speech, you’d better know as much about English as the actual inventor of English. In short. Know your stuff and be able to back it up and provide a reading list, as Petr will—undoubtedly—ask for one.
I thought of this—today—as I walked with Corey through the Boystown area of Chicago. It was our intention to go to the lake and take a few pictures. It was not my intention to think about cool but challenging Czech students named Petr, or his habit of forcing trainee teachers to sing Czech karaoke at a neighborhood-local bar, on the night of their graduation. I have first hand experience with Czech karaoke. I got to sing (in my best phonetic Czech) a really maudlin, love ballad with a bunch of quasi-hooligans in the back of the bar cheering me on.
All of that spiraled back to me when I came face-to-face with one of the easier aspects of English to teach to non-native speakers. The Modal Verb. Most English speakers don’t even know that modal verbs exist. I certainly didn’t; and, I didn’t expect to fall into modal-verb-contemplation mode today. But it happened. As I walked down Belmont and came to the Broadway intersection, I came face to face with a big, fat (not very friendly) modal verb.
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs used to express a range of “modalities” from vague possibility to extreme obligation. Within this range, modal verbs habitually express: likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation. “You could do this, but you must not do that. EVER.” The modal verb I encountered today informed all drivers that they had absolutely no choice but to yield to pedestrians. The sign (and the modal verb in question) looked ready to back up their order with lethal force if necessary. I was impressed. And then—for a moment—I was vaguely disturbed that I’d even stopped to think about modal verbs and to take a picture of one. It wasn’t until later that I even noticed that there were two pedestrians in the photograph as well. I wonder if traffic obeyed the bossy all-caps-modal verb and yielded to them. Probably so, especially since they didn’t look as if they were paying too much attention to traffic.
And so there you have it. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this photo and linguistic rant, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (28)
NefariousDrO
You sound like the kind of teacher who actually enjoys it when confronted by students many other teachers call "attitude problem". It's been my experience that people like that are scary-smart, and have learned that many people aren't as smart or as knowledgable as they pretend, thus they tend to appear to be confrontational, when it could just as easily be testing "are you really worth paying attention to, or are you simply empty bravado?" I imagine the classes with him were interesting, but often frustrating for other students when it bogged down in all the nit-picky rules and minute details. Add to that the fact that English is a very messy language that's exceptionally prone to exceptions rather than rules. If you really want to bake the brain of a student like that have him read Chaucer: it's filled with double-negatives and all kinds of crazy rules-defying language games!
DrCarl
I am not normally a reader of rants or even lengthy descriptions of images, I am here for the art...but when the words are from a thinker, someone who can express those thoughts eloquently and with a laugh...then I stop to read. I to, knew not of the Modal verb and thank you for bringing it to my attention... my hard disc although near full always has space for one more small file, something to impress others with over dinner or a game of trivial pursuit..... it is a weird and wonderful language we speak "when you take your dog's lead and it is made of lead and lead them out the door for a walk......" how do you teach this to non english speaking people... I am so glad that I do not have to learn it thanks for making me think and for sharing your thoughts Carl
CoreyBlack
Well, I MUST say, and with absolutely no vagueness whatsoever, that I really like this picture! I could also say that your lesson on modal verbs was a lot more fun than the one I got from Mrs. Liefritz back in 1977, and in fact, I just did. This is possibly the best photo you have posted all day. I especially like the fact that the boy-couple are in color while everything else is in black and white. This is pretty much badass. That sign is giving me a vague case of the hinks. Unquestionably lovely work. I MUST say. Wasn't Petr the Teacher Eater the cute bald guy with the ubiquitous Euro-fanny pack and the sandals and black socks?
mgtcs
Great angle on this picture. The pedestrians just add to the meaning, even if unintentionally (or unconsciously?). The verb indeed stands out, and the positioning of the camera highlights it even more. The writing is superb and informative, as usual.
MrsRatbag
Wow, I'm blown away; I routinely tested in the upper 99th percentile for language skills whenever I was so tested, and I can't recall EVER having heard of modal verbs. So there. But then I don't know exactly what a dangling participle is either...it sounds like something vaguely seedy to me. I can't label stuff, but I can write up a storm, and I'm probably the best proofreader you've ever encountered. I can't tell you WHY something is or isn't right, but I can tell you WHEN it is or isn't, and offer an alternative. But I would be terrified to run into Petr, he'd make me feel completely inadequate! I've never thought of a sign like this implying that there's an alternative to the action required, only that it states a directive that is to be obeyed at all costs... Interesting stuff!
Orinoor
Wonderful bit of story telling education. I was almost a teacher and Petr would no doubt have left me embarrassed, but he sounds like a wonderful person. Great photo too!
auntietk
I'm like Denise. I can't tell you why it's wrong, but boy, if it's wrong, I can sure tell you! (There was a Dangling Participle in a computer game I played years ago. It was a small animal that hung by its tail from a tree branch and talked like Yoda. It was an unforgettable demonstration!) The image is excellent. Color popping the guys was brilliant. I might not have noticed them either, since the image is so clearly about the sign and its imparitive, but the color gives them equal weight. Seriously fine work, my dear, and your narrative is priceless!
kgb224
Well you are never to old to learn and i do need to learn more about English as I am Afrikaans speaking. Perfect capture and composition.
whaleman
Though the true ownership of the English language always rests with the people using it, as opposed to the makers of dictionaries and such who just chronicle the changes, one simply cannot use the language incorrectly! There's my shot at the modal verb; I enjoyed your rant!
Crabbycabby
Fascinating. I think I learnt something new today. And a picture to boot. Great work.
ArtistKimberly
Wonderful
bmac62
Here's one English major that never heard of modal verbs. Thanks for catching me up...but you MUST understand I graduated 49 years ago. Hmmmmmm. I wonder:-) Super shot...like the color pop.
beachzz
Ok, I also got good grades in English, but a modal verb?? Never heard of one till just now. A model verb maybe, you know--the kind that everybody wants--all polite and clean and soft spoken. And yes, I can tell you what's wrong, but not always why. Don't get me started on THAT or you'll hear all about "sit and set", "guys", "who and that", oh, my list can go on and on and on........
durleybeachbum
I too left school 49 years ago with top grades in English Language and Literature.. but I can't recall anything about this! (I told my middle grandson, I have forgotten more than he has learned so far.) I feel very educated for the first time in years and I so enjoyed reading this very clear and entertaining explanation. I bet you were/are a brilliant teacher. The photo is superb too.
helanker
Well, here I cant join the wagon of english knowledge, but I can say, I do like this photograph very much. The clarity and the way you kept the guys colored, when all the other is black/white, is superbly done. But please dont ask me about english modal verb, whatever that is supposed to be. To me it could be a little village in Russia..... And I so dislike the left guys shorts. It could as well be a KILT with that width or spaciousness. Whatever. But I bet they are confi. ;-)))
fallen21
Beautiful shot.
blinkings
I can imagine this type of student very well!
Rhanagaz
Great capture and fine reflections! Just like when children ask "good" questions! ;o)
flavia49
very interesting picture and text, and I like the comments too!!
KateBlack10
Cool shot - really love the narrative - interesting - I had no idea what a model verb even was so I would have failed with Petr the Teacher Eater- great one
costapanos
I think I would yeld to them! wonderfully written and a bit of an education as well.
MagikUnicorn
E X C E L L E N T
jac204
Wonderful capture and English lesson. Not yielding to pedestrians is one offence that the "right turn on red" drivers are apt to commit. Now that you've explained the word "modal", I'm now curious as to how the 60s group Holy Modal Rounders got their name. Any ideas?
sandra46
EXCELLENT IMAGE!!! WELL DONE!
RodS
Oh, dear......... Your narrative brings forth memories from the dark, cob-webby recesses of what's left of my mind.... Memories of 5th-grade English class where we had to "diagram" sentences with all the complicated finagling one would normally associate with a quadratic equation. Thanks for that, Chip! Now, I'll be up all night trying to remember what all those circles and arrows were supposed to mean....LOL! Very cool post, my friend!
Sepiasiren
Chipka kind sir--the way your mind works...I -- I wonder... if I were to peer inside your head would I see countless mechanisms spinning and turning, churning out myriads of lofty concepts!? LOL To that end, excellent picture and "rant" I enjoy all aspects of the work on renderosity--including whatever the artists feels a need to disclose with their work. No judgement, just support, it is all art and love baby!
Bothellite
Your unique reasons for taking pictures is a model to follow. Interesting!!... and fun.
dashboard_jehovah
Outstanding image...I am not a word-smith, but I do enjoy your narratives.