The claim thatliterature is useless, which is sometimes arighteous boast in thin disguise, may be countered in two ways: by showing itis false in its own terms, or by extending the conceptof utility. If the study of English trains the mind, then it cannot be calleduseless-assuming only that modern societies need trained minds. But English isalso the language of the world, and the first common languagethat educated mankind has ever enjoyed in its history. About three-quarters ofthe world’s letters, as they pass through the mails, are nowestimated to be in English. Even if difficult to interpret, it caneasily be shown that English is useful. Almost the whole world wantsto know it, or to know it better. It could easily be a source of wealthand of political influence, and in some measure alreadyis.
没有靠谱点的么?