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Understanding English Words and Language

Chapter 1

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28 views1 page

Understanding English Words and Language

Chapter 1

Uploaded by

sidhanthazraslg2004
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1
WHY STUDY WORDS?

Imagine a life without words! Trappist monks opt for it. But most of us would not give up words
for anything. Every day we utter thousands and thousands of words. Communicating our joys,
fears, opinions, fantasies, wishes, requests, demands, feelings and the occasional threat or
insult is a very important aspect of being human. The air is always thick with our verbal
emissions. There are so many things we want to tell the world. Some of them are important,
some of them are not. But we talk anyway even when we know that what we are saying is totally
unimportant. We love chitchat and find silent encounters awkward, or even oppressive. A life
without words would be a horrendous privation.
It is a cliché to say that words and language are probably humankind's most valuable single
possession. It is language that sets us apart from our biologically close relatives, the great
primates. (I would imagine that many a chimp or gorilla would give an arm and a leg for a few
words but we will probably never know because they cannot tell us.) Yet, surprisingly, most of us
take words (and more generally language) for granted. We cannot discuss words with anything
like the competence with which we can discuss fashion. films or football.
We should not take words for granted. They are too important. This book is intended to make
explicit some of the things that we know subconsciously about words. It is a linguistic
introduction to the nature and structure of English words. It addresses the question 'what sorts
of things do people need to know about English words in order to use them in speech? It is
intended to increase the degree of sophistication with which you think about words. It is
designed to give you a theoretical grasp of English word-formation, the sources of English
vocabulary and the way in which we store and retrieve words from the mind.
I hope a desirable side effect of working through English Words will be the enrichment of
your vocabulary. This book will help to increase, in a very practical way, your awareness of the
relationship between words. You will be equipped with the tools you need to work out the
meanings of unfamiliar words and to see in a new light the underlying structural patterns in
many familiar words which you have not previously stopped to think about analytically.
For the student of language, words are a very rewarding object of study. An understanding of
the nature of words provides us with a key that opens the door to an understanding of important
aspects of the nature of language in general. Words give us a panoramic view of the entire field
of linguistics because they impinge on every aspect of language structure. This book stresses
the ramifications of the fact that words are complex and multi-faceted entities whose structure
and use interacts with the other modules of the grammar

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The book seeks to enhance a reader's understanding of English word-formation and vocabulary by providing a linguistic introduction to the nature and structure of English words . It aims to make explicit our subconscious knowledge about words and increase the sophistication with which we think about them. The book provides theoretical tools to deduce meanings of unfamiliar words and recognize underlying structural patterns, enriching vocabulary and fostering a practical awareness of word relationships .

Words play a crucial role in human communication and interaction by serving as the primary medium through which people convey their joys, fears, opinions, and other feelings . They are deeply embedded in human interactions, to the extent that silent encounters are often perceived as awkward or oppressive. Words facilitate chitchat that humans naturally indulge in, highlighting their integral role in social life and the human need for connection .

Studying words enhances our understanding of language as a whole by providing insight into multiple aspects of language structure. Words, being complex and multi-faceted entities, interact with all modules of grammar, thus serving as a comprehensive lens through which the entire field of linguistics can be examined . This panoramic view facilitates a deeper theoretical understanding of language formation, vocabulary sources, and cognitive processes involved in word storage and retrieval .

The book contributes to a reader's linguistic and cognitive development by offering a theoretical framework for understanding word formation and usage . This framework provides tools for linguistic analysis, helping readers to decode unfamiliar words and see structural patterns in familiar words. Such skills enhance cognitive abilities related to language processing, retrieval, and application, thereby supporting overall linguistic and cognitive advancement .

The book aims to provide students of language with educational benefits such as an enriched understanding of word-formation, vocabulary sources, and cognitive processes involved in language use . It presents tools for deducing meanings of unfamiliar words and recognizing structural patterns, thereby enhancing both vocabulary and analytical skills in understanding language .

The book proposes increasing our sophistication in thinking about words by equipping readers with a theoretical understanding of English word-formation and the sources of vocabulary . It aims to deepen our subconscious knowledge of words, enabling us to analytically recognize structural patterns in both familiar and unfamiliar words. This analytical process not only expands vocabulary but also offers a refined perspective on the functional intricacies of language .

The book suggests that studying words has significant implications for the field of linguistics as it provides key insights into all linguistic structures . Words serve as a microcosm of linguistic theory, allowing linguists to understand how different grammatical modules interact. This relationship implies that a comprehensive understanding of words is essential for grasping the broader principles of linguistics .

The book argues that words should not be taken for granted because they are a fundamental aspect of human life and communication. They allow us to express our thoughts, feelings, and desires. Despite their significance, many people lack the competence to discuss words and language as proficiently as they discuss topics like fashion or films . Therefore, understanding words can enrich one's communication abilities and contribute to a more sophisticated grasp of language .

The book describes words as 'humankind's most valuable single possession' because they are fundamental to human communication and distinctively set humans apart from other primates . Words are essential for expressing complex thoughts, emotions, and cultural values, thereby underscoring their immense value in facilitating human interaction and societal development .

The book highlights a contrast between its academic perspective on words and their everyday use, noting that while words are vital to communication, people often lack the depth of understanding about them compared to other subjects like fashion or sports . Whereas people frequently use and rely on words, the book encourages a deeper intellectual engagement to appreciate their complexity and importance, thereby enriching linguistic competence and vocabulary .

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