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LEARNING ENGLISH CULTURE THROUGH ITS LITERATURE The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation (Johann Wolfgang

von Goethe) The English language is viewed as the international language of the world. Many people are learning it as their second or third language. To be the international language, the English language must have the qualities that bring it to a world standard for its uniqueness, was called English literature. According to Solzhenitsyn (n.d.), literature becomes the living memory of a nation. Through the transmitting of literature from generation to generation, much literature such as poetry, drama, sonnet and novel are remembered until today. Especially, the nation of England was cultivated by the innovation of literatures throughout many centuries which have huge influences over other languages around the world. As many people are learning English language as their second or third language, it is especially important and easier for them to acquire it through learning English literature. In second language classrooms, teachers are assigned to teach not only the language itself, but also the culture of the target language. Cultural competence helps students in developing their understanding of the social variables such as age, social classes, and religions that influence the ways in which people speak and behave. Then, language learners will blend into the actual target culture. Hence, English literature will provide language learners to be competent in learning both the English language and its culture.

Relation of language and literature Language and culture have a strong interdependent relationship and must be acquired together, as one supports the other in the construction of communicative and social competence. Bennett, Bennett and Allen (2003) stated, The person who learns language without learning culture risks becoming a fluent fool (p.237). The importance of developing intercultural communicative competence alongside linguistic competence is rooted in the need of students to interact effectively with people from other cultures. In fact, what is considered appropriate in one culture is usually inappropriate in the other one. Language is a broad topic that goes beyond linguistic competence, and it also includes the linguistic performances of students practically to use it in social performances. In other word language is a daily used communicational symbol or system between two or more people. Language is defined as a formal system of signs and symbols and manner of verbal expression (Language, n.d.). In the ESL classroom, teachers must know the target language well enough to be imitated his students which means that language teachers should be able to render their students the target language and its culture (Lado, 1964). Most teachers consider using literature in the ESL classroom to be difficult and boring, but as soon as they realize the wide range of possibilities that literature has in the teaching of a foreign language, they start sharing activities and contents which can enchant students. So, in order to start using literature in the ESL classroom teachers need to know ways to use it. Nowadays, as it is widely accepted that literature in the second language teaching classroom can be a medium to transmit the culture of the target language. Besides, literature in the second language classroom can provide a powerful tool in students language development. Through literature the learners can experience how language can be used in different situations, for

different purposes, and to varying effect (Fenner, Katnic-Bakarsic, Kostelnikova, & Penz, 2001). Importance of learning target culture in classroom According to Kay (2009), language allows us to communicate through spoken and written words as a part of everyday living. Everyone is born with a native language which represents the community he/she supposes to live because languages represent cultures in which a person is allowed to identify with the same cultural group to communicate with one another (Kay, 2009). When a group of people speaks the same language, they are seen by the world as a culture, a distinct group of people. Furthermore, culture develops through language after people write and record their unique culture in written works. People work and communicate together to develop language and nation which empower them for a chance to survive in this world. Language bonds groups of people together and gives them a unique system of communication that distinguishes them from other groups, influencing their overall culture and they world sees and defines them (Kay, 2009). In language learning classroom, students are supposed to learn not only the target English language, but also the culture of the target group in order to use if accurately and fluently. Linguistic competence alone is not enough for students of a language to be competent in that language (Krasner, 1999). Why must language learners know the culture of the target language? It is because students can implement appropriate ways of addressing people, expressing gratitude, and making requests, etc Studying culture gives students a reason to study the target language as well as rendering the study of L2 meaningful (Stainer, 1971). By learning the culture of the target language, students have more chances to acquire the language rapidly, and

they are able to render the meaning of the second language through their knowledge of that target culture. Role of literature in teaching language Why should literature be essential in second language learning? Because literature, initially, provides the second language learners the authentic text that carries the culture of a specific language community and give the readers valuable insight into that culture, as well as into the language form to express it. Fenner (n.d.) stated literature represents the personal voice of a culture. He also mentioned that literature consists of richer and more diverse semiotics than factual text, and offers more learning potential (Fenner, n.d.). Learning literature makes the learners feel happy and have fun in the classroom. Teachers can start by asking their students to answer short quizzes about famous dramas and poetry. Literary texts are experiments with thought, dialectic between reality and fantasy. They employ more metaphorical language than other types of text. According to Ricoeur (1992), the metaphor is in the literary language as a producer of meaning which means that metaphors can be interpreted differently by different readers, and most importantly it provides space to language learners to experience the multiplicity of meaning (p.48). Literature gives the learners opportunities to explore the multiplicity of language as well as culture when they engage actively in the reading process to discover meaning. In addition, learners can make discussion groups in which they get to talk about their opinions. Forming literature discussion group is a good idea to promote collaborative and cooperative learning in the classroom as well as to stimulate social interaction. It also increases learners imagination, especially the analysis of fiction, drama and poetry. With their imagination, learners are able to see their similar cultural context between the target culture and

their own. Lastly literature presents good models for the learners personal text production (Fenner, n.d.). Learning language requires the learners to read more literary works of other writers. The more the learners have read of literary works, they are developing their own text production and even improve their writing skills syntactically. Additionally Povey (1972) agrees that Literature will increase all language skills because literature will extend linguistic knowledge (quoted in Mckay, 2000, p. 191). Impacts of English literatures to its culture I cannot live without books said by Thomas Jefferson (1815) which presents that human beings should not stop reading books which includes various knowledge for each person of this world. Also Lewis (n.d.) expressed that same sentiment literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become. As Jefferson stated, the books are whether they are works of fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies or memories, contain of the human condition and reveal the history of human kind. The study of literature allows people to develop new ideas and ethical standpoints, and can help individuals to present themselves as educated members of society. Studying literature can be an enriching, eyeopening experience (Cruz, n.d.). Then, what kinds of literatures are called as English literature? The Literatures written in English language are considered as English literature although there were various writers such as Robert Burns (Scottish), James Joyce (Irish), and Joseph Conrad (Polish) (English Literature, n.d.). The first works in English language written in Old English which appeared in the early Middle Ages (Libraryjunction.net). In Old English, there were various written works such as Beowulf from Anglo-Saxon literature, which is a heroic epic poem (English Literature, n.d.).

Usually, many writers would like to write about heroine epic poem or stories in the Old English, telling the story of how the heroes destroyed the evil and restored their glories. In the poem of Beowulf, the hero Beowulf himself had to face the battles against the devils called Grendel, Grendels mother and the dragon (Beowulf, 2012). Generally, this poem of Beowulf in Old English Literature displays the actual history of ancient Old English period in which the heroes went to campaigns, fighting against the devils or bad things and finally they returned home with glories. In the 12th century, the new form of English known as Middle English evolved which started the Middle English literature. There were three main categories of Middle English literature: Religious, Courtly love, and Arthurian (Evolution of English Literature, 2010). The literature written in England during the Middle English period reflects fairly accurately the changing fortunes of English. French language was best understood by the upper classes, the books they read or listened to were in French. The most significant Middle English writer was Geoffrey Chaucer who was also called as the Father of English literature, and was widely considered as the greatest English poet of the Middle ages, and wrote The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories in a frame story between 1387 and 1400, giving the general prologue a matchless portrait gallery of contemporary types, and constituting in the variety of the tales a veritable anthology of medieval literature (Kokbugur, n.d.). In The Canterbury Tales, it reflected diverse views of the church in England. After the Black Death, many people began to question the Church of England and even to start new monastic orders. Several characters in the Canterbury Tales are religious figures, and the very setting of the pilgrimage to Canterbury shows the religious and significant theme of the cultural context in England.

Later in 1476, William Caxton introduced a printing press into England which flourished the Renaissance literatures such as poetry, drama, and prose (Baugh & Cable, 2000, p. 195). Furthermore, English literature was spread by various writers in the early modern period of England such as William Shakespeare who wrote Hamlet (Hamlet, n.d.). Despite there were various writers of English literature, the works of William Shakespeare influence throughout the English-speaking world. Early in the 16th century Sir Thomas Wyatt, and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey introduced the sonnet into England, since then it spread the writing of sonnets in the English literatures (Sonnets, n.d.). The following sonnet was written by John Milton, entitled On His Blindness (On His Blindness, 2002). WHEN I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide, Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest He returning chide, 'Doth God exact day labor, light denied?' I fondly ask. But Patience to prevent That murmur soon replies, 'God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait.' This sonnet reviews the significant facts about John Miltons personal and political life. Even though he had uneasy life, he managed to find peace in his life. He expressed his struggle in the dark; admitting his faith in God and dedicating to serve Him, which states this sonnet tells about the religious belief in England. Many writers talk about love, emotion, sadness, happinessetc of personal feeling by writing sonnets. This sonnet was written in the form of

Italian (Petrarchan) sonnet in iambic pentameter and the rhyme scheme of On His Blindness is ABBA, ABBA, CDE, CDE; consisting 14 lines of sonnet (Dey, 2012). Furthermore, it has religious aspect of expressing the talent (Line 3) stating of Matthew 25 (Dey, 2012). In the Middle English literature, the writers usually focused on writing about their personal love story, their belief in God of the religious story, and the Arthurian. In On His Blindness, John Milton mentioned his belief in God showing the influences of his religion in his life. Moreover, many writers in the Middle English wrote about their religious cultural influences in various kinds of literatures such as poetry, prose, and novels. Conclusion In conclusion, literature stands as a voice that expresses values and beliefs, and shows how people live as individual or as group with this perspective; literature becomes the ideal tool to show the learners the English speaking world and to lead them to discover English culture. It gives a great opportunity for the learners to increase their world knowledge as they will have access to a variety of contexts, which is inevitably related to the target culture. By developing a literary knowledge of the English language, learners will also understand and interact effectively with the English people. They acquire effective linguistic and cultural competences because the study of the target language is bound to its literature and fine arts.

REFERENCES

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