Learning Words While Reading
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Please hold your tongue in abeyance, it seems but denuded coquetry, for there is no equanimity to it, at best it spouts a squib. You present as but a chuffed rider of velveteen palfrey, lazing in the shade of a hazel, while others must fight the bracken, getting to the colliery to earn their salt.
Opacity, the new Transparency.
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I had some formal training in French at school - but didn't pay a lot of attention. (I managed to get a negative score in my oral translation at "O" level) It wasn't until I started going out with a girl who worked at CERN that I became at all interested in the language - and then only enough to get by in bars and restaurants in Geneva!
You should never use standby on an elephant. It always crashes when you lift the ears. - Mark Wallace C/C++ (I dont see a huge difference between them, and the 'benefits' of C++ are questionable, who needs inheritance when you have copy and paste) - fat_boy
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OK, to answer your quesiton, if I come across a word in a language I dont understand, I compare it to words in languages I do and often glean the meaning that way since a lot of words have common roots. Take the Luxembergish Gezingen I saw on a sign. In Dutch Gemeint is a commune. Since the sign also has a name on it and is by the side of the road, I can tell that I am entering the commune of that name. In fact there are some interesting parallels here. In Dutch sterve is to die. In English it means to be serously hungry (starve). And so it is probable that in old english it did also mean to die. In fact Dutch is quite usefull to read The Cantebury Tales by Chaucer. He uuses eek for also, its ook in Dutch. He uses woning for home. Its the same in Dutch. I woot is to know for Chaucer, Ik weet is Dutch. Zoote is sweet in Dutch, and Chaucers books first line uses it. Take Infarctus in French, or Haemotome. They are both medical conditions known in English as Heartatack (infarction) and bruise (haemotoma). I struggled in the musem today though! All the signs were in Luxembergish! And if I am stumped I use a dictionary, usually on line.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
modified on Saturday, March 6, 2010 11:16 AM
I didnt think anyone would answer this post. I guess my sense of language is too advanced for people here. Call me superior if you like. but its just living, learning, using to me. Fortunately I have had the good chnce to live outside of the UK. Its a great experience.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
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Reading allows me to learn new words, but in order to retain these words i try to use them. If you're into writing it helps a lot.
But, sont forget that Hemingway, one of the most celebrated English writers used very simple language. If you are gong ot write in English, my advice is to keep it simple. Take a lok at any Hemingway book, THye are sre simply written and hence easy to read. I woild say the wame for Harry POtter books. If you want ot learn straght forward modern English they are ideal. Forget the poncy crap. Anyone can use exotic words, but it wont endear you to your reader.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
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aspdotnetdev wrote:
What strategies do you all have for learning new words
Try doing the daily CP CCC.
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Honestly. It's the honest ones you want to watch out for... -
:-D Here,let me help you with that: JABBERWOCKY Lewis Carroll (from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872) `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves ..Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, ..And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! ..The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun ..The frumious Bandersnatch!" He took his vorpal sword in hand: ..Long time the manxome foe he sought -- So rested he by the Tumtum tree, ..And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, ..The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, ..And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through ..The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head ..He went galumphing back. "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? ..Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' ..He chortled in his joy. `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves ..Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, ..And the mome raths outgrabe.
Opacity, the new Transparency.
Onomatopoeia at its best! :) And why not make up words? Chaespere made uop 2000 by all accounts. And used the language in an unknown way, using nouns as adjjectives and so on. He really understood how base English is and how fleibly it can be used.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
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Well done! :) My velveteen palfrey was chuffed to abey me at the coliery denuding the hazel inequitably startled by a squib in the braken. Ah, and all that in les words!
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
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I've been reading Lady Chatterley's Lover recently, usually in bed as I fall to sleep for the night. As an experiment, I decided to bring a notepad with me to write down words I didn't know as I read. After reading about 5-10 pages, there were about 30-40 words I don't know or was not sure of the precise meaning. Some of those words included:
- Hazel (not the color)
- Chuffed
- Bracken
- Denuded
- Colliery
- Palfreys
- Velveteens
- Equanimity
- Abeyance
- Coquetry
- Squibs
Before I start reading it again, I am going through each word and looking up the definition (I have some dictionary software installed on my computer). Though I do find this somewhat cumbersome, I don't find it nearly as cumbersome as looking up each word as I read it (would distract my train of thought). I also find having to write down each word distracting. What strategies do you all have for learning new words in the material you are reading?
Lady Chatterley's Lover was published in 1928. While it may seem that words are the same now as then, some aren't. Definitions shift. One interesting shift is relatively recent change in the meaning of the phrase "make love", which used to mean wooing or courting. (Another fascinating shift over the last two centuries is the meaning of "perfect.") The ultimate electronic dictionary would be one that would both define the words contemporary to the writing AND to show what the modern meaning is. (Allowing for the fact that occasionally writers really do use the wrong word and/or misunderstand the meaning. "Bemused" did this to me.)
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I've been reading Lady Chatterley's Lover recently, usually in bed as I fall to sleep for the night. As an experiment, I decided to bring a notepad with me to write down words I didn't know as I read. After reading about 5-10 pages, there were about 30-40 words I don't know or was not sure of the precise meaning. Some of those words included:
- Hazel (not the color)
- Chuffed
- Bracken
- Denuded
- Colliery
- Palfreys
- Velveteens
- Equanimity
- Abeyance
- Coquetry
- Squibs
Before I start reading it again, I am going through each word and looking up the definition (I have some dictionary software installed on my computer). Though I do find this somewhat cumbersome, I don't find it nearly as cumbersome as looking up each word as I read it (would distract my train of thought). I also find having to write down each word distracting. What strategies do you all have for learning new words in the material you are reading?
If I'm reading a book that is that much of a challenge, I'll probably put it down and find something else. I read to relax and to entertain myself. If an author feels compelled to demonstrate his superiority through unusual vocabulary, I feel compelled to toss his crap into the church rummage sale donation box. I recently read Darwin's Children[^] by Greg Bear. It very nearly went flying into the box. You needed a graduate degree in biochemistry to follow some of it, but he managed to keep the story moving along just well enough to keep me reading.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^] -
What? You dont know those words? I guess ou dont read much. I think the last time I came across a word I dodnt know I was about 15 or so. Hazel nuts, chuffed pleased, bracken cut my hands to crap on it when I was about 5, denuded reduced, coliery mine, palfreys horses, velveteens fabric, equanimity fairness, abeyance put aside, coquetry cute, squib a fake. Now I am going to check I actually DO know them! :) Yep. Perhaps squib is more a failure as in 'damp swuib'.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
I got to admit I agree with you, I am astounded someone with English as their milk language does not know the meaning of these words. Mind you I'm into my 50s and enjoy reading but if my son did not know these words I would be astonished!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I've been reading Lady Chatterley's Lover recently, usually in bed as I fall to sleep for the night. As an experiment, I decided to bring a notepad with me to write down words I didn't know as I read. After reading about 5-10 pages, there were about 30-40 words I don't know or was not sure of the precise meaning. Some of those words included:
- Hazel (not the color)
- Chuffed
- Bracken
- Denuded
- Colliery
- Palfreys
- Velveteens
- Equanimity
- Abeyance
- Coquetry
- Squibs
Before I start reading it again, I am going through each word and looking up the definition (I have some dictionary software installed on my computer). Though I do find this somewhat cumbersome, I don't find it nearly as cumbersome as looking up each word as I read it (would distract my train of thought). I also find having to write down each word distracting. What strategies do you all have for learning new words in the material you are reading?
aspdotnetdev wrote:
've been reading Lady Chatterley's Lover recently
You naughty boy! :-). Got to the bit with the flowers yet (you'll know which one.). Also, as a heads up (if you'll pardon the pun) "John Thomas" is a euphemism for the "male generative member".
Dalek Dave: There are many words that some find offensive, Homosexuality, Alcoholism, Religion, Visual Basic, Manchester United, Butter.
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And I am a crap typist by the way! But I read a lot. About 2 books a week if I can. I alays have, my dads the same and my sister too. I gues its in the genes. I shouldnt criticise really, some of those words arent very common and perhaps very much more used in England like chuffed for example. Havr to say though isnt Lady Chatterlies Lover a little old and particular? I like historical novels currently, used ot be into scifi alot.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
I have no idea how old it is. It's just been on my list of books to read for quite some time (few years)... ever since I heard it mentioned in the movie Phenomenon. I ususally read science fiction, so this is quite the departure from what I'm used to.
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I got to admit I agree with you, I am astounded someone with English as their milk language does not know the meaning of these words. Mind you I'm into my 50s and enjoy reading but if my son did not know these words I would be astonished!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
American kids these days (i.e., me) don't read for the most part. Well, I do, but mostly only technical books.
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aspdotnetdev wrote:
Brilliant.
Sometimes, you clearly remember the original (incorrect) meaning that you made up yourself, and the fact that it was wrong, but you can't recall the correct meaning :(
Regards Senthil _____________________________ My Home Page |My Blog | My Articles | My Flickr | WinMacro
I did that with my girlfriend's middle name once. :~
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I didnt think anyone would answer this post. I guess my sense of language is too advanced for people here. Call me superior if you like. but its just living, learning, using to me. Fortunately I have had the good chnce to live outside of the UK. Its a great experience.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
fat_boy wrote:
I guess my sense of language is too advanced for people here
not necessarily - I do the same in English/French/Italian/Swahili/German and Swedish - when I was in Sweden last year I read a paragraph in Swedish, and translated it quite well into English, to the delight of my tour-guide - just on the 'concordance' between words I knew in other languages (mostly German) - I also found that just going from the airport into Stockholm gave me more vocab as well .. ps.. Swahili doesnt actually help much because nothing I know links to it, but I occasionally use Swahili words/phrases, and if you're wonder 'why Swahili', I lived in Kenya for 2 years as a kid
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Interesting. Maybe children should be taught only the difficult words and assume they'll naturally pick up the common ones.
My High School english teacher did that 1 word a day... I have an emense mental anthenium of dearthly articulated coloquialisms', archatectural nuances', flora, fauna and the ocasional verb. :laugh:
I'd blame it on the Brain farts.. But lets be honest, it really is more like a Methane factory between my ears some days then it is anything else...
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fat_boy wrote:
I guess my sense of language is too advanced for people here
not necessarily - I do the same in English/French/Italian/Swahili/German and Swedish - when I was in Sweden last year I read a paragraph in Swedish, and translated it quite well into English, to the delight of my tour-guide - just on the 'concordance' between words I knew in other languages (mostly German) - I also found that just going from the airport into Stockholm gave me more vocab as well .. ps.. Swahili doesnt actually help much because nothing I know links to it, but I occasionally use Swahili words/phrases, and if you're wonder 'why Swahili', I lived in Kenya for 2 years as a kid
It is amazing how flexible the brain becomes when youy have leartn a second language. I think the rigid connection of object to sound has gone, and hence far subtler stimuli provoke a recognition. I qas in Schipol airport past year. In fornmt of me was an Englich family.One of the kids asked what Instappen meant. Of ocurse it is related to boarding a plane since it was displayed when the gates opened. But the meerest glance tells you that it means 'step in'. In fact English speakers have a natural advantage since our language is a mixture of germanic and latin. No other language makes it easier to learn either a latin language or a germanic one. And yet we are the linguistic dulards of europe.
Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription
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My High School english teacher did that 1 word a day... I have an emense mental anthenium of dearthly articulated coloquialisms', archatectural nuances', flora, fauna and the ocasional verb. :laugh:
I'd blame it on the Brain farts.. But lets be honest, it really is more like a Methane factory between my ears some days then it is anything else...
ely_bob wrote:
High School
high school
ely_bob wrote:
english
English
ely_bob wrote:
emense
immense
ely_bob wrote:
anthenium
athenaeum
ely_bob wrote:
coloquialisms'
colloquialisms
ely_bob wrote:
archatectural
architectural
ely_bob wrote:
nuances'
nuances
ely_bob wrote:
ocasional
occasional
ely_bob wrote:
I have an emense mental anthenium of dearthly articulated coloquialisms', archatectural nuances', flora, fauna and the ocasional verb.
I'm not going to lie, this sentence confuses me. But was spelling almost every word incorrectly part of what you were trying to convey, or did it just happen to end up working out that way? :laugh:
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:-D Here,let me help you with that: JABBERWOCKY Lewis Carroll (from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872) `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves ..Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, ..And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! ..The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun ..The frumious Bandersnatch!" He took his vorpal sword in hand: ..Long time the manxome foe he sought -- So rested he by the Tumtum tree, ..And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, ..The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, ..And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through ..The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head ..He went galumphing back. "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? ..Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' ..He chortled in his joy. `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves ..Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, ..And the mome raths outgrabe.
Opacity, the new Transparency.
Thanks for that. I was trying to think of the name of that so I could reference in my above reply to peterchen.
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Lady Chatterley's Lover was published in 1928. While it may seem that words are the same now as then, some aren't. Definitions shift. One interesting shift is relatively recent change in the meaning of the phrase "make love", which used to mean wooing or courting. (Another fascinating shift over the last two centuries is the meaning of "perfect.") The ultimate electronic dictionary would be one that would both define the words contemporary to the writing AND to show what the modern meaning is. (Allowing for the fact that occasionally writers really do use the wrong word and/or misunderstand the meaning. "Bemused" did this to me.)
You might want to check out Merriam-Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary. I have the electronic version installed on my computer. Here are the definitions given for "make love":
1 : WOO, COURT
2 a : NECK, PET b : to engage in sexual intercourseWhen words change their definition, it labels the old definition as "deprecated" (or something along those lines). It's really quite nice. I just wish I had access to the dictionary data so I could make my own search bar in the Windows XP taskbar.
Joe Woodbury wrote:
"Bemused" did this to me.
Do you mean to say that you misunderstood the meaning of "bemused" or that authors you've read did? Or that you/an author used "bemused" in place of another word (e.g., "amused"). Anyway, while I'm at it, here is what my dictionary says about "bemuse":
Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Main Entry:be£muse Pronunciation:bi-*my*z, b*- Function:transitive verb Date:1735 1 : to make confused : PUZZLE, BEWILDER 2 : to occupy the attention of : DISTRACT, ABSORB 3 : to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusement <seems truly bemuseed that people beyond his circle in Seattle would be interested in his ruminations — Ruth B. Smith> –be£mus£ed£ly \-*my*-z*d-l*\ adverb –be£muse£ment \-*my*z-m*nt\ noun
Note that some of the characters show up strangely (i.e., not how they are displayed in the dictionary software).
