What is English?

The argument between the two basically boils down to this: the definition of English; what is it? Both Bartholomae and Elbow are trying to figure this out and teach courses accordingly so that students can have a better sense and knowledge; and this is where the conflict begins. Bartholomae comes down on the side of skepticism, whereas Elbow comes down more on the side of credulity as the governing idea in the undergraduate writing course. Bartholomae wants to teach his students in a way that they form a certain criticism or mistrust to language and writing. Elbow takes a different approach where he wants his students to trust language and writing.
Elbow and Bartholomae aren't so far apart in their views. Elbow feels that academic writing as a major part of an undergraduate training isn't feasible or desirable in a one semester introductory course, but that it needs to take longer so it can in turn benefit those who take it in the long run more than just taking it in lower level courses. Bartholomae disagrees. They are not so far apart on their stances, it's all about defining English and how best to teach it. It's an ongoing battle/argument which is old and seems never ending.....why? Because what really is English?