I learned my English from comicbooks
Posted on: 15 Apr, 2008|Comments: 14|Views: 4270|Likes: 2| INT
When I was very young (and very whiny), my babysitter handed me a huge pile of Archie comicbooks to keep me quiet. It was love at first sight. I must have read 100 comics in 2 days. I was not sure what it was about the medium, but I have always appeciated it. Although I began with Archie, my tastes later changed to Superman, Batman, Spiderman and others. Today, I read Dilbert and watch Superhero movies. I am very excited about viewing Iron Man this Summer.
I say all of that because I wonder if reading comicbooks would be a good way to learn english? It certainly helped me at a young age. (I believe I was 7 when I was read all of those comics.) Has anyone else had the experience of learning or improving their english by reading comicbooks? If so, what comics do you read today?
Below is an example of an Archie comic, but without words added. If you were the writer, what words would you include?
Submitted by JimStroud on 22 May, 2008 02:02 PM GMT
I used to love reading stories with good pictures....Usually when it comes to comics, I cling on to Tinkle and Tinkle Digest(even now). Somehow, I had not liked to read even one single Archies comics-because the way the English is-or the way the paper is...I don't know. Everytime I tried with Archies, I had closed it halfway through. But Tinkles, I can't resist. :) I had learnt my English mainly through Tinkles and out of sheer compulsion to learn in school. Used to mug the lessons just for marks and passing...But later, slowly I had picked up the language... tasting its flavour
Here is a link to where you can buy a collection of Tinkle comics. Enjoy!
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Submitted by Gomathi on 22 May, 2008 05:13 AM GMT
I used to love reading stories with good pictures....Usually when it comes to comics, I cling on to Tinkle and Tinkle Digest(even now). Somehow, I had not liked to read even one single Archies comics-because the way the English is-or the way the paper is...I don't know. Everytime I tried with Archies, I had closed it halfway through. But Tinkles, I can't resist. :) I had learnt my English mainly through Tinkles and out of sheer compulsion to learn in school. Used to mug the lessons just for marks and passing...But later, slowly I had picked up the language... tasting its flavour
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Submitted by Kavita on 17 Apr, 2008 02:53 AM GMT
:-D
Kavita, Thank you for another reason to like you! Your interpretation of the comic was very charming.
Jim, I'm truly elated!!! I always loved it when my teachers liked
me......... :-) I'm learning so much since I have been
here........each one of you really amaze me with your experiences
and depth of know-how on most topics!!!
Just wanted to share with you......., when you first joined here since there was not much on your profile I did a little Google on you and was so so impressed with all the stuff that came back...... 'The Recuirters Lounge' is one site I would love to explore...........
:-D I am sure the comic could have been so much better...........its just that it's been a while since I'v read Archies and that was the most of their lingo I could remember!!! Will be better prepared the next time!!
Rgds,
Kavita
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Submitted by Kavita on 17 Apr, 2008 02:43 AM GMT
Kavita, I like your cartoon dialogue much better!!
:-D Gee......thanks Raymond!!!
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Submitted by Rajan on 16 Apr, 2008 06:01 PM GMT
Awesome concept. I too, read a few comics as a child. Archie was definitely one of them. Beetle Bailey, Garfield, and a few others.
But the biggest leap in my reading began when my cousin handed down a whole library of Nancy Drew mysteries when I was 9 or 10. I know... most boys probably read the Hardy Boys, but I read Nancy Drew. :( Then I really got into reading my dad's Reader's Digest. Somewhere along the way, I lost the passion for reading. Probably because of all the text books I had to read in grade school. And regrettably, the exposure to a lot of television.
Now let me take a crack at filling-in this cartoon.
Frame 1 -
"Hey Sam!" (I know this probably isn't the right name, but I only
remember Archie, Jughead, Veronica and Betty from the comics.)
Frame 2 -
"What's up buddy ole pal! Can you loan me a couple of bucks?"
Frame 3 -
"Stay away from me, I'm broke."
Frame 4 -
"Wait a minute, I really am broke. I thought I was just trying to
avoid loaning you some money."
Frame 5 -
"Well, let's go find another friend who'll try and help us
out."
Not really funny... but that's the best I can come up with!
_____________________________
"Found the right path. Turned left."
Write your 6 word memoir.
http://www.englishcafe.com/?q=node/2646
You never cease to surprise me. Awesome!!!!
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Submitted by JimStroud on 16 Apr, 2008 03:50 PM GMT
Let me see now how I do in giving dialogue to the strip
Arch (in his mind): Hey, Reg's here!! That guy sure'l have some extra bucks on him!!
Arch: Gee Old Chap!!! You swell buddy of my sunshine days!! Just imagine bumping into you in the hall!!!
Reggie: Stay back, you half baked potato!!! I know it's the weekend and what all this overdose of love is all about!!
Reggie: But... chum....I too am broke!!! Not a dime on me too for the weekend!!!
Both: Groan!!! Moan!!! Life sure sucks as a teenager in need!!!!
:-D
Kavita, Thank you for another reason to like you! Your interpretation of the comic was very charming.
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Submitted by Raymond on 16 Apr, 2008 03:43 PM GMT
Kavita, I like your cartoon dialogue much better!!
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Submitted by Kavita on 16 Apr, 2008 11:09 AM GMT
Jim..................This blog has stollen my heart!!!!!! Honest to God!!! I am such a book freak...............I cant begin telling you!!!! I had hardly started reading when I got latched on to comics and I have gobbled up comics like there was no tomorrow!! :-D You name it and I have read it..............Archies.......little lotta.......Walt Disney entire series.......Phantom( I still remember his wedding date.........22nd of Nov :-) ........Batman.......Spiderman..........there used be a super woman character too, I'v forgotten her name......very primitive types and hardly covered................Tintin.........In India we have a publication known as 'Amar Chitra Katha'.........still very popular........its all mythology and history and literature covered in the comic format.........brilliant concept............I used have these books bound according to serial numbers and had a huge collection in them. :-D. There was another montly magazine types which used to be published then called 'Chandamama'.......used to love those too..........But even today I cant resist Archies!!!
By the time I reached my 10th year I had exhausted most comics which were available in the libraries we were members in......then I went on a solid Enid Blyton round.......followed by Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and Alistair Maclaine.......I was done with them by my 13th year and then I latched on to Perry Mason, James Hardly Chase, Mills and Boons(God I was so crazy about them I used to try and outbeat my own record of finishing up the books.....have managed to read 10 books in a day at last count!!!), Sidney Sheldon, Irving Wallace, Arthur Hailey, P.G. Wodehouse, etc. etc. to be followed by the Classics.........How I used to gobble up Thomas Hardy, Charles Dickens, Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind (had set a record for myself of finishing the book in 10 days), Jane Austen, .............
Actually my maximum reading was done before I reached college in my 16th year.....Since then my reading has depriciated year on year...........and now I hardly read.......Always there are more pressing issues needing my attention.........the vagaries of time.. :-)
Let me see now how I do in giving dialogue to the strip
Arch (in his mind): Hey, Reg's here!! That guy sure'l have some extra bucks on him!!
Arch: Gee Old Chap!!! You swell buddy of my sunshine days!! Just imagine bumping into you in the hall!!!
Reggie: Stay back, you half baked potato!!! I know it's the weekend and what all this overdose of love is all about!!
Reggie: But... chum....I too am broke!!! Not a dime on me too for the weekend!!!
Both: Groan!!! Moan!!! Life sure sucks as a teenager in need!!!!
:-D
Kavita
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Submitted by Sam on 16 Apr, 2008 01:22 AM GMT
(I know this probably isn't the right name, but I only remember Archie, Jughead, Veronica and Betty from the comics.)
"Reggie"! He was the bad guy, always trying to get Archie blamed for stuff.
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