Worth a Look

About a week ago, BBC America did a little segment on a new website, Wordia.com. Wordia purports to be an online dictionary where people upload videos in which they define words. The word BBC featured was ‘incognito,’ and it was done well. The definer repeated the word several times, gave more than one example, and used visual support. I was really excited about this idea. This morning I finally had a chance to scope it out. So far it is a disappointment. BBC chose well in featuring ‘incognito.’ None of the other definitions approach it in utilizing the medium. However, I’m still recommending the site since it is new and other words are sure to be added. Anyone can do it. In fact I encourage you to! You just need to choose your word, define it, make a video, and upload it. I’d love to see you there. Please let me know.

Studying Your Language

Remembering Definitions

This brings me back to coaching you in studying your chosen language (or teaching it). As I wrote above, what was good about the definition of ‘incognito’ was that it incorporated the following:

• Repetition
• Examples
• Visual Support

You can use these when you study vocabulary. Repeat the word several times; think of more than one example of how you could use it; draw a picture to illustrate it or get one or more from the Internet (or a magazine). Use whichever of these techniques appeals to your learning style(s) and I guarantee that you will retain the words you study.

Study – Finally – Oh no!

It’s time to start actually studying your language formally. If you haven’t got a book yet, get one or find lessons on the Internet. Remember that you’ve committed to a certain amount of time every day. (You can take off on your Sabbath if you wish.) Start at the beginning: Chapter or Lesson 1. (You need not do the whole chapter at once. If it’s broken up into segments, start with the first one.) Read it through to get an overview.

Now, hone in on the details. Most books start off with the verb ‘to be’ or its absence. (In many languages, sentences such as ‘The dog is brown’ do not contain a verb.) Read through the examples that are given. You can copy them, say them, make flash cards, act them out, …. Use any or all of these techniques. Now comes the fun. Language involves communication. Unless you have easy access to a native speaker or fellow-student, you’re going to have to pretend. Write a letter to the object of your affection (real or imagined), a family member, a friend, a politician, or anyone else you’d like to communicate with. What? You don’t know what words to use in the language? That’s what dictionaries are for! You can even use online translators. Horrible and funny though their results sometimes are, Babelfish and Google’s translator are useful for first approximations, particularly at the beginning level. The idea is to use the language creatively from the very first. Don’t worry about mistakes; just express yourself. If you watched last night’s presidential debate, you must have a lot to say to your candidate, his opponent, or even the moderator. Go for it! And have fun.

Word for the Year

The word ‘copasetic’ has been haunting me! I chose it as the Word for the Day in a previous blog and commented that it seemed to be used more frequently by people of a certain age. Sure enough, while watching an episode of Mad Men, which is set in the 1960’s, I heard it from the mouth of someone’s father. But then I heard it used by a young person (no older than 35) that I was talking to. Hmm. I know that once you learn a new word you seem to keep hearing it when you did not before, but this is a bit eerie.

Don't forget to write comments about your experiences with studying your language or with words. I look forward to reading them.

Ciao for now,

Eileen