Studying Grammar as the Foundation of all Things

Because grammar is the fundamental structure of language, an understanding of grammar enhances the effectiveness of language. Grammar is not merely the identification of the parts of speech or comma placement but rather the basis on which all language and reasoning is built. Because so much originates from grammar, one must constantly call back upon the study of grammar to form a more solid understanding of the rest of the structure. Miriam Joseph’s The Trivium, Martianus Capella’s The Marriage of Philology and Mercury, and the Bible all supply ample arguments for why the study of grammar is so vital. When one studies grammar, one studies all other disciplines, learning to appreciate the groundwork for intensive study. Through a perspective that uses words with reverence, the study of grammar invites man to participate in creation and establish connection with others, fulfilling man’s purpose. 

To misuse words on the grounds of ignorance is to deny the power words have in all other aspects of life. God has connected the essence of words to himself, making words worthy of man’s reverence. When there was nothing else, God spoke the world into existence, creating the universe with just his speech. While creation has a point of origin, John writes that the Word and God existed as the same entity without an origin (King James Version, John 1:1-2). God may have professed man as his greatest creation, but the art of speech is not under man’s dominion. Thus, when man speaks, he is partaking in an act with the divine and should, therefore, acquaint himself with the proper function of words and their relation to all other fields of discussion. Because words have the power to call things into being, even man’s finite interaction with words generates emotions and thoughts in others, which can either damage or strengthen the connection between communicator and receiver. The misuse of words that comes from deliberate thought cannot be sympathized with, since the misuse is a directly defying act that attempts to gain power man should not possess. On the other hand, an ignorant misuse of words must be remedied with the proper knowledge lest it become arrogant misuse. No word exists without an effect; therefore, one must wield the power of words with knowledge and care. 

While the aspects of grammar may appear simple, it is necessary for all thought and communication. The Trivium defines grammar as the “art of inventing and combining symbols,” but grammar’s reach does not end at symbols (Joseph 3). Grammar does indeed contain the proper combination of words to create sentences; however, a correct or incorrect sentence affects all aspects of logic and rhetoric. Joseph later defines grammar as “[giving] expression to all states of mind or soul—cognitive, volitive, emotional…grammar has a wider scope than logic” (45). Without an understanding of grammar, one’s ability to express would be limited to the point of inaccessibility for others. Communication would suffer, and connection would be lost. While words themselves have power, the study of grammar is the way by which man can responsibly harness that power. 

In Martianus Capella’s analogy, Mercury and Philology’s marriage emphasizes one’s love for learning as essential to successful discourse. In The Marriage of Philology and Mercury, Capella constructs a mythic narrative representing the combination of elements enhanced by their unity. Mercury, as a representation for eloquence, must first obtain guidance from Virtue to pursue Philology, the love of learning, before he can be successful (Capella 8). Thus, a virtuous eloquence seeks learning with love, without which eloquence would be ineffective. Grammar, however small one might imagine its scope, is fundamental to all other modes of learning and enhances one’s ability to learn. Teaching grammar trains the mind to realize the fundamentals of a concept and explore them with deft precision. Not only does the study of grammar build the skill of observation and discernment, but learning complex concepts requires communication from both the teacher and the pupil. The instructor must select the words most eloquent for the situation in order to teach the student a concept not yet understood. Without a joint respect for learning grammar and the desire to communicate the instructor’s thoughts would never reach the student. Thus, grammar is essential to all learning, and one must commit to loving the pursuit of grammar to articulate any idea or thought. 

In the career of writing, grammar is especially important to ignite the proper reaction within a given audience. While many different words can get the job done, I must select the word that produces just the right emotional and visual response. Miriam Joseph describes the process of encountering words in relation to reality, defining phantasm as a “mental image of the individual object perceived, and this phantasm is retained and can be reproduced at will in the absence of the object” (21). As I write, I deal exclusively in phantasms, so I must familiarize myself with the various phantasms available to me and how to effectively produce them in the audience’s mind. Not only do I have to select my words for imaginary depth, I must also be aware of the connotations of a word that affect the psychological aspect of my reader. The richness of language comes from its many variations, and “a sensitive awareness of the subtleties of language…enables one to recognize good style in the speech and writing of others and to cultivate good style in one’s own composition” (Joseph 29). If I fail to learn the dynamics of language and how each word interacts with the other, I fail to engage with my audience effectively. When I write, I must gain a level of knowledge equal to if not exceeding that of the majority of my readers. The phantasm will lose its potency if I have misunderstood an individual words connotation. Thus, the writer’s understanding of grammar does not end with the knowledge of where a comma must go, but it reaches into the very mind of the audience. 

Thus, the study of grammar serves not just to instruct on correctness but to enable a connection between those who wish to express their minds and souls. The power of words cannot be denied and must, therefore, be studied with love and excitement. No effective study can be done whilst one does not understand the importance of one’s diligence. However, once one learns to love the knowledge, the principles cement themselves as usable resources otherwise unavailable to those who have not learned them. I must study grammar for my professional and creative endeavors, which allows me to understand my own thoughts and those of my audience. Without a grasp on the function of language or effective rhetoric through sentence structure and meaning, I will fail to construct a proper connection between what I believe to be impactful about my stories and my audience.