Ultimate Vocabulary – Vocabulary Building Software

Children’s Vocabulary Development On Day One – And Before

May 15, 2013

The process of acquiring language is long, complex, and not completely understood even by scientists who have spent a lifetime studying it. A mix of pattern recognition, external influences, deliberate learning, and a range of environmental factors means that each person learns vocabulary in a slightly different way, though everyone follows the same general pattern. Parents of infants are happy when the first ma-ma-ma and pa-pa-pa syllables come out of their baby’s mouth, and encourage vocabulary development by talking to their babies, giving them simple sounds to repeat. Studies have shown that talking to young children is of crucial importance in helping them learn vocabulary and language skills, even when they’re very young and can’t yet talk themselves.

A new study seems to imply that this technique can even be used with babies before they’re born! Dr. Fabrice Wallois at the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and other French researchers looked at the still-developing brains of babies who were born prematurely, in the third trimester of pregnancy, and discovered that the neurons in the areas of the brain related to language acquisition reacted differently to different sounds. This proves, the researchers say, that babies even that young are hearing and processing sounds in such a way that starts to build the foundation for active speaking and listening.

Since one of the ways children learn language even before they learn vocabulary is by listening to the sounds and patterns of speech, it seems that talking to babies before they’re even born might give them a head start on that process. Mothers can buy microphone and speaker sets designed to amplify their voice and transmit it into the womb, and their partners can simply put their heads next to the mother’s body and talk directly into the fast-growing ears inside. Of course, it’s important to keep this encouragement going after the baby is born. Talk to the baby, read to them, and encourage them to pick up books on their own, and you’ll be helping them take the first steps to a good vocabulary.

The Secret to Better Vocabulary and a Better Outlook on Life

May 8, 2013

New research published by Liverpool University has shown the link between vocabulary study and increased brain activity. The study team, including English professor Philip Davis, used modern brain scanning tools to study what was happening inside peoples’ brains when they read sections of text from literature containing unfamiliar words, and when they read the same text “translated” into easier English. The results of the scans provide proof that when people are reading new vocabulary words, their brains are stimulated and much more active. Because active brains form more neural connections, it seems to indicate that one result of vocabulary study and learning new words would be a more well-developed information net in the brain, providing better memory of words learned in the past, and more energy to learn new ones.

One unanticipated result of the study, which will be looked into further with a team of psychologists, is that it appears that reading poetry not only provides the same mental stimulation, but also activates the emotional centers of the brain, in the same way that the brain works when reflecting on important personal issues, or even reading and focusing on self-help books. The researchers are keen to find out if poetry can be a tool to consciously or unconsciously help people get a better outlook on life, learning to find balance and clarity through this process of reading. We already know that people with a good vocabulary are more confident and capable – wouldn’t it be great to get another boost of happiness just by reading a poem every day?

Poetry provides another good source of vocabulary other than the new words you find to learn and stimulate your brain. If you’re writing poetry, you’re engaging your creative mind actively. Although strictly speaking not all poetry needs to rhyme, using rhyme schemes while creating poetry is a good way to learn new words as you search for ones that rhyme. You’ll be exploring several aspects of vocabulary as you look for synonyms and work to shape the phrases so that they express what you want to say while still keeping to the rhyme.

Whether you choose to challenge your brain with poetry or prose, you’ll quickly find that reading well-written texts is a great way to improve your vocabulary, and improve your overall outlook on life.

What English Words End In The Letters DOUS?

April 30, 2013

There are so many words in English that you might not know where to start in your vocabulary-building plan. English teachers who design course plans for vocabulary study classes sometimes have tremendous difficulty in choosing which words to focus on. It’s not easy to narrow the list down to a few thousand words, but there are only so many hours in a school day – no matter what, teachers have to choose specific words from the stupendous array of available English vocabulary words, and trust that students will continue to research new words on their own. However, leaving students without any guidance is a hazardous affair, so some direction by a teacher is very useful. A teacher can provide the definition and spelling of a word, and this will help ensure that the student doesn’t make a horrendous mistake in usage or pronunciation when they try to use the word in an essay or a conversation. When you’re not in school any more, you’ll need to provide your own support in those areas, but a good dictionary will give you the information you need. You can also use a dictionary to randomly select words to learn, either because you think they’ll be useful (and most English words will be, at some point or another) or just because you think they look interesting.

Did you find the words that end in -DOUS? There are only four common words in the English language that end in this letter pattern:

tremendous (tree-MEN-duss) adjective
Definition: Very high (in quality, in amount, in intensity).
Example: Winning the spelling competition gave me a tremendous thrill.

horrendous (hor-EN-duss) adjective
Definition: Extremely terrible or awful.
Example: The hurricane caused horrendous damage to buildings all along the coast.

stupendous (stew-PEN-duss) adjective
Definition: Huge, enormous, amazingly large.
Example: According to the Bible, Samson’s stupendous strength disappeared when his hair was cut off.

hazardous (HAH-zer-duss) adjective
Definition: Very dangerous.
Example: No matter what the tobacco companies claimed in 1950, smoking is hazardous to your health.

Word of the Day: Corroborate

April 23, 2013

According to a published paper on employment trends, the United States Department of Labor noted that while vocabulary scores on the SAT have gone down on average, and 1 in 5 Americans have only minimal English reading ability, employers today “demand more skills than they did in the past.” Getting ready to enter the job market isn’t a process that starts in the last years of school, either. As University of Michigan professor Susan Neuman explained in several research journals over the past few years, children who start school with a poor vocabulary will generally fall behind, and stay behind, the other students, and that this gap continues through school and beyond. And the studies and statistics cited by E. D. Hirsch in a recent article in City Journal corroborate the link between a good vocabulary and a good earning potential in the job market. There really isn’t any reason not to study vocabulary!

Here’s a word for you to learn today: corroborate. It means to confirm or support something, or to lend strength to something. A scientist who makes a chance discovery will repeat the experiment to get additional results to corroborate the evidence from the first test. Judges and lawyers question as many witnesses as possible to corroborate the testimony provided by both an accuser and a defendant. When you look at the history of the word, you’ll see that it has its basis in the Latin word robus, or “strength.” That’s the origin of the word robust as well. Keep these words in mind when you’re tempted to set aside your vocabulary study, and you’ll get new strength to move ahead and keep going to learn just one more word … and then another, and another. Each word you learn adds to the solid foundation you need to build your vocabulary so that you have the skills today’s employers are looking for.

As a parent, you’ll also be able to help your children succeed with good vocabulary and communication skills that they’ll need in school and in their own work life in the future. If you’re learning English as a second language, it’s important that you focus on getting up to speed quickly on correct grammar and usage as well as vocabulary. A site like Learn English 232 is perfect for focusing on learning and using English like a native speaker. A good English vocabulary will help you reach the top and stay there – test it out for yourself, and you’ll quickly get confirmation that it works.

References: Lerman, R. and Schmidt, S. An overview of economic, social, and demographic trends affecting the US labor market. United States Department of Labor.
Neuman, S. The Knowledge Gap: Implications for Early Education. Handbook of Early Literacy Research: Vol. II
Hirsch, Jr., E.D. A Wealth of Words. City Journal, Vol. 23, No. 1

Wonderful Weird Words

April 21, 2013

Don’t you just love English vocabulary? Some words are simply fun to say, like synthesis and lollygag and murmur. You might prefer onomatopoetic words (http://www.ultimatevocabulary.com/2010/04/improve-your-vocabulary-onomatopoeia/) like hiss or sizzle – or you might be more drawn to poetically descriptive words such as diamantine and munificent, or to culinary terms like fenugreek or rotisserie. Let yourself be drawn into vocabulary study by the wonderful variety of words in the English language, and keep your eyes and ears open for interesting and unusual words to add to your vocabulary.

Here are two words that are unusual because they’re the only two common words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: abstemious and facetious. You’ll find them uncommonly useful additions to your vocabulary.

abstemious (ab-STEE-mee-us) adjective
Definition: Doing things in moderation; in particular, not overindulging in food or drink.
Example: After several years working as a restaurant critic, George began to worry about his health, and on his doctor’s advice, switched to a more abstemious diet and started taking early-morning walks in the park.

facetious (fuh-SEE-shuss adjective
Definition: Not to be taken seriously; using (inappropriate) humor in a serious situation.
Example: We all appreciate Tom’s sense of humor, and he’s a lot of fun at parties, but he’s got to learn that facetious remarks at corporate board meetings and other professional gatherings are not really appropriate.

We’re being completely serious when we say that when it comes to vocabulary improvement, there’s never too much of a good thing. Devour new words daily, and nourish your skill with words!

I.O.U. 7 Vocabulary Words

April 9, 2013

Spelling and pronunciation are important parts of vocabulary building. After all, if you don’t know how to spell a word, you won’t be able to incorporate it into your writing without causing confusion for your readers. If you don’t know how to pronounce a word, you’ll have the same problem when speaking. What’s more, spelling and pronunciation are closely linked, because when you’re practicing letter patterns it’s useful to also think about how those groups of letters are pronounced.

One of the more common letter patterns in English is IOU. As the IOUS suffix it’s added to nouns to turn them into adjectives that mean “full of [noun]” (it’s also spelled OUS or OSE or EOUS, depending on the base noun). Sometimes this noun-to-adjective link is fairly clear, when the noun itself is a common English word. For example, harmonious means “full of harmony,” but the word facetious doesn’t mean “full of facets” (this word comes into English as an adjective already, from 15th-century French based on the Latin word facetus meaning “joke, jest”). If you’re confused about the spelling, pronunciation, or history of any word, turn to your trusty dictionary for an explanation – you owe it to yourself to learn as much as you can about the vocabulary you study.

surreptitious (surr-ehp-TIH-shuss)
Definition: Secret, hidden, furtive, sneaky.
Example: A surreptitious glance at his neighbor’s exam paper gave George the right answer to question #5.

prestigious (preh-STIH-juss)
Definition: Well-known, influential, highly respected.
Example: The university has many prestigious neurobiologists on its teaching staff.

notorious (noh-TOR-ee-uss)
Definition: Famous, but not in a good way.
Example: She is notorious for always being late to meetings.

contentious (kuhn-TEN-chuss)
Definition: Always ready to fight or argue (person), or causing fights or arguments (thing).
Example: Gay marriage will continue to be a contentious issue for many years to come.

deleterious (deh-leh-TEE-ree-uss)
Definition: Damaging, harmful.
Example: We are only now discovering the deleterious effects of agricultural chemicals on fish and other aquatic species.

prodigious (pruh-DIH-juss)
Definition: Extreme, very great, impressive.
Example: In mythology, Hercules’ prodigious strength allowed him to kill two large snakes that attacked him when he was merely a baby in his cradle.

gregarious (gruh-GAIR-ee-uss)
Definition: Chatty, friendly, talkative.
Example: Shy, quiet people sometimes feel awkward at parties where everyone else is gregarious.

21 Words That Don’t Rhyme With Anything Else

April 2, 2013

Sometimes we choose words to learn because of a school assignment, when we need to memorize new words used in talking about an unfamiliar subject. Other times we’ll find words at random throughout the day, and jot them down on a piece of paper to look up later – words from magazine and newspaper articles, or overheard in conversation, or in the book we’re reading during the train ride home. Many people like having the choice of words made for them, and use “word of the day” calendars to get their new vocabulary. And some people like picking through the dictionary to find words by chance, or just because they’re interesting.

If you find some way in which each new word is interesting, you’ll be more likely to be able to learn and memorize it quickly. We’ve found one category of words you might find interesting today: English words that don’t rhyme with any other words. Rhymes are very useful when you’re trying to memorize things, and poetry makes a good memory training tool. Not all poems rhyme, of course, and even some rhyming poems rely on similar pronunciations, rather than exact ones. Today’s non-rhyming category is made up of words that have no “perfect” rhyme where the ending vowel and consonant sounds are exactly the same. This means that while set me free and galaxy might actually be used in a rhyming poem, they’re not a perfect rhyme. But perfect or not, it’s new way to think about words. Set yourself to memorizing this list and you’ll find even the most prosaic text more interesting in the future.

almond
chocolate
galaxy
wolf
elbow
orange
citrus
foible
justice
sandwich
transfer
husband
empty
problem
zigzag
fifth
bulb
oblige
gulf
month
plankton

Synecdoche and Metonymy: Vocabulary Variations

March 28, 2013

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar.
– Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene II

If you were to take these words of Mark Antony literally, you might think that he wants people to cut off their ears so he can use them for a while. Of course, it’s not what Shakespeare, that master of words, meant by this phrase. It’s a figure of speech, a use of words known as metonymy (pronounced “meh-TAH-nuh-mee”), in which naming something actually refers to its function or what it contains. In other words, Mark Antony wants people to listen to him.

You’ve probably heard metonymy being used on the evening news broadcasts, when reporters talk about the latest statements given by “the White House” or “#10 Downing Street.” Those reporters haven’t been listening to the brick-and-mortar buildings, but to people inside them who work to keep the respective governments of the United States and Great Britain functioning. You’ve used it yourself if you’ve ever talked about “that delicious dish” you ate at the French restaurant in the center of town. You didn’t eat the plate (we hope!), but what it contained.

Synecdoche (“sih-NECK-duh-kee”) is a similar form of wordplay; in fact, it’s often classified as a type of metonymy. In this variation, the term for one small part of something is used to refer to the whole thing. When the ship’s captain shouts, “All hands on deck!” he’s not expecting a scuttling crowd of disembodied hands crawling towards him on their fingers. He’s expecting that the sailors connected to those hands will assemble in front of him. When you brag about the “new set of wheels” you just bought, your friends automatically assume that the rest of the car was included.

Figures of speech – metaphor and simile, synecdoche and metonymy, alliteration and hyperbole – all add interest and richness to your writing and your speech. Keep an eye out for these rhetorical devices when you’re reading, and think about how to use vocabulary to recreate them. Then read your creations to family and friends – we’re sure they’ll be all ears.

For a humorous look at metonymy, read James Thurber’s “Here Lies Miss Groby.”

Present Yourself With A Pronunciation Present

March 19, 2013

If you’ve got the gift of storytelling, then you’ve got the ability to quickly learn new vocabulary words and how to pronounce them. One of the problems with English vocabulary is that it’s sometimes hard to see why the pronunciation of two words is different even when the spelling is the same. The explanation for the difference can be complicated and go deep into linguistic history and etymology but the solution is simple. Use mnemonics, the association of information in a memorable way, to help you solve your pronunciation woes. In order to do that, tell a story, or just write out some sentences that help you illustrate and remember the different pronunciations and meanings. Look at these examples:

When he wound the grandfather clock he slipped off the stepstool, and the sharp edge of the wooden casing made a huge wound across the palm of his hand. (WOWND, WOOND)

Can you produce evidence that you bought all that produce at the farmer’s market? (pruh-DOOCE, PROH-dooce)

The child lined up his lead soldiers and pretended to lead them into battle. (LEHD, LEED)

Don’t desert me in the desert! (duh-ZERT, DEH-zert)

When the dove dove at my head, I ducked quickly. (DUHV, DOHV)

The invalid tried to blame the doctor for the medication’s side effects, but the judge ruled that her suit was invalid, saying that she should have read the label before taking the pills. (IHN-vuh-lihd, ihn-VAH-lihd)

Are you close to the window? Close it – I’m cold. (KLOHS, KLOWZ)

She shed a tear when she saw the tear in her favorite skirt. (TEER, TEHR)

A bad teacher will subject the students to boring lectures on every subject. (sub-JEKT, SUB-jekt)

Tell us your favorite pronunciation story!

“Knowing More Words Makes You Smarter,” Says Professor

March 12, 2013

In the United States, the SAT is the standard method of testing students in their final years of high school to see how much they have learned, and where they score on math, English, and reading comprehension abilities. However, even though all three of these areas are tested separately, they’re all dependent on one thing: vocabulary. After all, if you can’t understand the words used to present a math problem, how can you solve it? But although the SAT test is given to students in the 12th grade, vocabulary development needs to start as soon as possible, in the 1st grade or even sooner, says University of Virginia professor E. D. Hirsch, Jr. He looks at the French école maternelle system that is used by nearly every child in that country, and recommends that this early-education model be used in the United States (and elsewhere) both to promote vocabulary development and to reduce the level of social inequality as the children grow up.

As Hirsch points out, a child who already has a good vocabulary when they get into standard English classes in the 4th or 5th grade will be far ahead of another child with lower vocabulary skills. A good vocabulary means fewer questions, faster reading speed, and better comprehension. As French studies have shown, providing support for vocabulary development at an early age proves to be one way to raise student abilities, even for a child who started behind the others. This is particularly important for children who don’t have parents with the time or ability to help them at home with reading, whether for school or for pleasure.

A good vocabulary does more than help children succeed in school. Because most people learn vocabulary through reading, they’re also absorbing the information contained in the text as they read. Here’s an example:

Volcanoes are generally found where tectonic plates are diverging or converging. A mid-oceanic ridge, for example the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, has examples of volcanoes caused by divergent tectonic plates pulling apart; the Pacific Ring of Fire has examples of volcanoes caused by convergent tectonic plates coming together.

When you read this paragraph, you might have to look up the words diverge and converge and tectonic. After you find out the meanings of the words, you’ll understand the paragraph, which means that not only will you have three new useful words in your vocabulary, you’ll also know something about volcanic activity, geologic processes, and the shape of the world. This knowledge will stay with you, even if you’re not consciously absorbing it. By gaining both knowledge and vocabulary, you’ll improve your ability to learn more, and more quickly, in the future.

Studies have shown that people with better vocabularies can take advantage of more educational opportunities, and people with a better education go on to become more successful in work. Hirsch cites one study that shows that a small increase in the SAT vocabulary score translates into a $10,000 increase in salary – and that was back in 1999. Consider how important a good vocabulary is in today’s knowledge-based economy!

Whether you want to be smarter or earn more money, or both, focusing on building a good vocabulary is essential. And if you’re a parent, helping your child with the same vocabulary-building goals is one of the best things you can do for them.

Read the full essay here Volcano information from Wikipedia.

Children’s Vocabulary Development On Day One – And Before

The Secret to Better Vocabulary and a Better Outlook on Life

What English Words End In The Letters DOUS?

Word of the Day: Corroborate

Wonderful Weird Words

I.O.U. 7 Vocabulary Words

21 Words That Don’t Rhyme With Anything Else

Synecdoche and Metonymy: Vocabulary Variations

Present Yourself With A Pronunciation Present

“Knowing More Words Makes You Smarter,” Says Professor

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