English and Modern Languages

Alex, 1st year

'I chose my degree since I was interested in the way people spoke and communicated. I don’t really see English and German as two separate subjects: they are both the study of language, just two different aspects of it. To understand a country’s literature is to understand their mindset; it filters down into the idiom of the day (just think how much people today quote Shakespeare!)

For English I’m not taking the Victorian paper, which is pretty rare. Instead I’m studying Old English. My German really helps me with this as the languages are very similar. If you blended modern English with modern German, Old English is pretty much what you would get; the grammar and morphology are very familiar to someone with my background.

I’m particularly looking forward to the paper on linguistics, which will allow me to look at the sociolinguistic power relationships between different speakers and similar things. I think that these concepts will enhance my study of literature for all of the modules I go on to study.

In Oxford, I’ve become involved in the Poetry Society. I’m hoping to also get involved with Cuppers (a drama competition for first-years).

Part of my family comes from Oxford, and I came to three different open days before I applied, so I came to Freshers’ Week knowing my way around the city quite well. However, it was still a change for me to begin with; but people soon find niches, and I was able to find like-minded people very quickly.'