Advanced Vocabulary

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Advanced Vocabulary

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

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Introduction

This unit will look at ways we can widen the vocabulary we use, particularly in relation to analysing texts, such as novels, plays and poetry.

How can we widen our vocabulary?

reading as much as we can

exploring the roots of language, to help us understand any new words that we come across

using a dictionary and thesaurus.


A changing language

The words that we use change over time, as new and different words come into ‘common usage’.

The way that we pronounce words changes.

The grammatical structures of the language change.

The way that we punctuate our writing changes.

Languages constantly change.


Why does language change over time?

Use the brainstorm below to write down some of your ideas.

A changing language

We need to find new words to describe new things, e.g. the Internet.

As we make contact with other cultures, we

discover new words.

Historically, invaders have brought their own languages with them, changing English in the process.

Young people invent new slang words

which often come into common usage.

Language changes because


Young people play a big part in changing their language, particularly through the development of slang words. Eventually, some of these words are accepted into the mainstream language, and become part of our vocabulary.

Slang

How many commonly used slang words can you think of?


Why do you think young people use slang and constantly invent new slang words?

Slang is almost like a secret code – at first only a few people know what the words mean. Because of this, slang can be used to prevent other people, particularly adults, from understanding a conversation.

New words are constantly being invented, because they keep slang exclusive.

Slang


449 A.D.

The Anglo-Saxons bring ‘English’ to Britain. They speak a Germanic type language. The Celts, natives of Britain, are forced into Scotland, Wales and Cornwall.

Old English words include: tooth, earth, sheep.

597 A.D.

Christianity comes to Britain, and some Latin words are introduced into the language.

Latin words include: angel, candle, priest.

A brief history of English


737 A.D. onwards

The Vikings, who speak ‘Old Norse’ invade the North. Their language was Germanic, with similar roots to that of the Anglo-Saxons.

Old Norse words include: sky, window, awkward.

1066 A.D.

The Normans invade England, speaking a type of French, and many new words related to Government and culture are introduced.

Norman words include: evidence, tower, venison.

The Viking and Norman invasions led to Middle English.



During the Renaissance, there was a great interest in learning. Many Greek and Latin words came into use.

Greek words include: topic, cosmos.

1490 - 1650

Latin words include: genius, premium.

Exploration of, and trade with, the ‘New World’ led to contact with the Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese. Many words from these languages were adopted.

Spanish words include: sherry, cargo.

From about 1500 onwards, Modern English replaced Middle English.



18th Century onwards

The colonisation of countries such as Australia, India and Africa led to many new words entering our vocabulary.

Technological words include: Internet, e-mail.

20th - 21st Century

A huge increase in communication and technology. Many words have been ‘borrowed’ from other languages, e.g. ‘glasnost’. New technologies require new words to describe them.

‘Colonial’ words include: pyjama, gymkhana, jodhpur.



Language and culture

As we have seen, the English language ‘borrows’ many words from other cultures, and these words quickly become a part of our language.

Since the recent increases in communications technology, English is becoming seen as the ‘global language’ - a language that the majority of people can use to communicate.

ActivityLook at the words on the next slide. Drag and drop them into the box labelled with the country they come from.


Drag and drop


Using a dictionary

Every year, as new words enter our vocabulary, dictionary writers have to decide exactly what to include. They also have to exclude words that have gone out of common usage, so that the English language is constantly evolving.

As well as telling you how to spell a word, and its meaning or meanings, a dictionary may also tell what type of word it is, (i.e. noun, verb, etc.), the different forms in which it might be used, and how it should be pronounced. An etymological dictionary will also explain the roots of the word.

Using a dictionary properly will help expand your vocabulary, whether you are using it to check how to spell a word, or looking up the meaning of a word you do not yet know.


The word that is going to be

defined.

The type of word, in this

case ‘n’ stands for noun.

Definitions of the word.

Using a dictionary

earth n. the planet on which the

human race lives; soil that can be dug

from the ground; part of electric circuit.


Using a thesaurus

A thesaurus gives you a variety of synonyms – different words that have the same meaning. A thesaurus can be particularly useful when you are writing an essay or a creative piece, because it will help you to avoid using the same words repeatedly. However, do be careful to use the correct word in the correct context when finding synonyms - always check in a dictionary if you are not sure!

As well as using a ‘hard copy’ thesaurus, you might also like to work with the thesaurus on your computer, which can usually be found under the ‘tools’ function. Using a thesaurus is a great way to widen your vocabulary.


Synonyms


Antonyms


Use a thesaurus to make the piece of writing below much more interesting.

It was a dark, cold night and the storm had been blowing for hours without stopping. Sam looked out of the window at the dark night sky. Would this storm ever end? And would her brother get home safely?

Here is just one way that you might have changed it.

It was a gloomy, bitter night and the storm had been blustering for hours without ceasing. Sam gazed out of the window at the ominous night sky. Would this tempest ever finish? And would her brother get home unscathed?

Using a thesaurus


So, when using a thesaurus, take care:

not to over-write, using too many long or excessively descriptive words.

to use the synonyms you find in the correct context. Words can have several different meanings, and you should always check in a dictionary if you are not sure of the correct definition.

Using a thesaurus

You need to be careful when using a thesaurus. As you might have noticed, although the piece of description on the previous slide sounded more interesting, it also sounded rather overblown and melodramatic!


Descriptive writing model


Writing to describe


General vocabulary

Do you know what these words mean? Learn their spellings and then put each word into a sentence.

Commonly misspelt words

‘Advanced’ words

occasionally

repetition

particularly

extraordinary

superstitious

hypocritical

aesthetic

rhetoric

magnanimous


Literary vocabulary

These are words that you might use when writing about literature. Do you know what they all mean?Learn their spellings and put each word into a sentence.

metaphor symbolism

personification ironic

onomatopoeia rhetoric

hyperbole empathy

allusion emotive


Vocabulary game

Now it’s time to have some fun with language. We’re going to play a vocabulary game. Here are the instructions:

You should work in small groups of about four people.

Each group will be given a word and its definition. These are real words, but you will probably not have heard them before! Keep the true definition secret so that only your group knows it.

In turn, each member of the group gives the class a definition of ‘their’ word. Make your definitions sound as realistic as possible.

The other groups have to guess who is giving the correct definition. If they guess right, they get one point. If no one guesses the right answer, the group giving the definitions get two points.


First, let’s look at an example to show you how the game works. Here is the word:

odalisque

And here are four definitions to choose from. Is it a ...

Female slave ina Turkish harem.

Type of ancientGreek sculpture.

Kind of toga wornby female Romans.

Dance performedby French slaves.

Vocabulary game


And the correct answer? An

odalisque

is a ...

Female slave ina Turkish harem.

Did you guess right? Remember, you can make your definitions much longer and more interesting.

Vocabulary game


Now you are going to have to be very honest if the game is going to work properly! Your teacher will tell you as each group’s word appears on the board, so make sure you close your eyes until you are told to open them.

When it is your group’s turn, open your eyes, write down the word and the real definition. When everyone has their words, you can start making up your false definitions, ready to start playing.

There are lots of words here, so you should be able to have more than one go at giving your definitions, or you could always find your own in a dictionary. Make sure that your definitions are interesting, but at the same time try to make them sound realistic enough to fool your classmates!

Vocabulary game


glabrous

Being ‘glabrous’ means that you have smooth skin.

porphyry

‘Porphyry’ is a kind of rock that has crystals in it.

ratel

A ‘ratel’ is a South African honey badger.

Vocabulary game


gammer

A ‘gammer’ is a country word for an old woman.

Mechlin

‘Mechlin’ is a kind of Belgian lace.

puttee

A ‘puttee’ is a cloth wrapped round the leg to make a bandage.

Vocabulary game


shawm

A ‘shawm’ is a musical instrument like an oboe.

witenagemot

A ‘witenagemot’ was a council meeting in Anglo-Saxon times.

ogham

The ‘ogham’ is the ancient British and Irish alphabet.

Vocabulary game


reredos

A ‘reredos’ is a decorated screen behind an altar.

hodden

‘Hodden’ is a type of coarse cloth.

myall

The ‘myall’ is a type of Australian tree.

Vocabulary game

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