Nov 9, 2017 20:03
6 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term
not have a point in
Non-PRO
English
Art/Literary
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Hi everyone!
The case I'm writing below is from an American novel about a group of black students at a black university back in the 1960s in the US.
There is a conversation of three people: two grown-ups and an undergraduate, who is a student leader. The student leader (Earl) takes his responsibilities seriously, and he faces expulsion because of his conflict with the college administration. The grown-ups (Zeke and Mrs. Gilliam) care about him. They try to talk him out of his leadership position. Zeke tells him to mind his own business, to pursue his own interests. Mrs. Gilliam agrees and says:
"‘I agree. How’re your grades? I bet you don’t have a point in none of ’um. When was the las’ time you wrote yo’ mother? I bet she don’t know nothin’ ’bout this foolishness." [Foolishness is Earl's insistence on defending students' rights against the administration.]
I'm not really sure how to understand the "point" above. What does it mean "not having a point in (none of) one's grades?"
Thanks.
The case I'm writing below is from an American novel about a group of black students at a black university back in the 1960s in the US.
There is a conversation of three people: two grown-ups and an undergraduate, who is a student leader. The student leader (Earl) takes his responsibilities seriously, and he faces expulsion because of his conflict with the college administration. The grown-ups (Zeke and Mrs. Gilliam) care about him. They try to talk him out of his leadership position. Zeke tells him to mind his own business, to pursue his own interests. Mrs. Gilliam agrees and says:
"‘I agree. How’re your grades? I bet you don’t have a point in none of ’um. When was the las’ time you wrote yo’ mother? I bet she don’t know nothin’ ’bout this foolishness." [Foolishness is Earl's insistence on defending students' rights against the administration.]
I'm not really sure how to understand the "point" above. What does it mean "not having a point in (none of) one's grades?"
Thanks.
Responses
| 4 +3 | ... tes notes sont zéro partout ... |
Daryo
|
Responses
+3
8 hrs
English term (edited):
I bet you don’t have a point in none of ’um (of your grades)
Selected
... tes notes sont zéro partout ...
it's the most literally about having [or not having any] "points" used to grade student's success.
I bet you don’t have a point in none of ’um (of your grades)
=>
you have neglected your studies to the point that your exam results are zero - no points (no credits in today's system)
I bet you don’t have a point in none of ’um (of your grades)
=>
you have neglected your studies to the point that your exam results are zero - no points (no credits in today's system)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
2 hrs
|
|
Thanks!
|
|
| agree |
katsy
: though the question is actually Eng. - Eng.//oh absolutely, so no problem really.... happens to us all I think from time to time!
9 hrs
|
|
oops, you're right - I missed that "detail"! But the explanation is still in English ...
|
|
| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
: Point or credit.
10 hrs
|
|
Thanks!
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you very much!"
Discussion
Not always - I know of few hopelessly failed students that turned into "successful" fog-sellers, sorry politicians ... Also, if the "point" of studying is to have good time for few years at Mommy's and Daddy's expenses, who cares about grades?
Sorry, couldn't resist either ....
On a more serious note, my point is that not everyone sees the same "point" in doing the same thing ...
This is a double negative, BTW, typical characteristic of African-American vernacular and it's speech. Read as: I bet you haven't earned a single grade point from any of your courses.