-- 03 p-- Language and Thought, Word Precision, TFY C2,
CHAPTER 2: WORD PRECISION
OVERVIEW
This Word Precision chapter
links itself to the problem raised
in the first chapter: that of accurately translating
nonverbal experiences into words. It also provides
the foundation for the book’s emphasis
on the connection between word clarity
and thought clarity.
ON WORD ETYMOLOGY AND SEMANTICS
This chapter
also includes some of the basics
of semantics, such as the difference between connotation and denotation. Such concepts offer
us that needed
reminder that “the map is not the same as the territory.” They are tools for word sensitivity and foster
skills essential for critical reading
and writing as well as the study of argumentation.
The ability to write good definitions is an important skill
In the next chapter,
as facts are introduced, these definitions of reality and truth
will take on more significance.. The main point
to make now is the importance of dictionary study for word and thought
clarification.
Language and Thought - Ted Video -14
Frames of Language
Patters in Language
New Words for the New Milleneum
Lexophiles Only
Fourteen Words Key to 100,000 Words
TFY C2 Links:
Web Links
Chapter 2
CONCEPT
WORD MAPS LINK: http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word_maps/
ETYMOLOGY
This site offers an etymologic quiz for guessing the origins of words. Can you get the right answers on the basis of logical reasoning?
http://www.etymonline.com/
FROM SENSES TO WORDS
Study the way Diane Ackerman uses language to explore "the mute sense" of smell in this excerpt taken from her book A Natural History of the Senses. Click on "Search inside this book" to read the excerpt.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679735666/103-1851138-6468634?v=glance&n=283155
(Amazon review: This review is from: A Natural History of the Senses (Paperback)
Do you remember the day in second grade when your teacher taught the lesson of the five senses? You felt around for some mysterious object in a brown paper bag for touch, you had lemon squeezed on your tongue for taste, you made Styrofoam cup telephones for hearing, you shut your eyes and stumbled around "blind" clinging to the arm of the kid next to you for sight, and you sniffed mothballs for smell. That was about it, subject covered. Now, just imagine if you could learn the lesson over again with the zany fictional teacher Ms. Frizzle of "The Magic Schoolbus" fame, except this time she's teaching adults. Welcome to the world of Diane Ackerman. In a Natural History of The Senses Ms. Ackerman enthusiastically, patiently, and most of all exuberantly reintroduces us to the sensual world from her perspective and shows us how it is so much more alive and kicking than what we learned in grade school.
This book is still broken down into five familiar sections of smell, touch, taste, hearing and vision, but in total it is so chock full of intimate detail of the world the reader can't help but see things in a different light for having read it.
It is written with the intelligence of a scholar, the fluidity and grace of a poet, and well, as I've mentioned above the enthusiasm of the one and only Ms. Frizzle (and I mean this as the nicest compliment!) This book will certainly appeal to people who love detail as it is well referenced for those wishing to delve deeper into the literature of the senses. Diane Ackerman shares, teaches and reminds us of some of the most simple things in life. Do you know how a butterfly "tastes" sweetness? Can you explain the electrical significance of the corpuscles strategically placed throughout your own body responsible for great sex? If you are saying "so what?" then I ask that you just give it a try. It is a fun romp of a read that may take you places you haven't been for a long time.
A good portion of the book is written in the first person, where the author has juxtaposed what she knows with how she lives, and I believe her detractors would comment that she appears self-absorbed for it. Just get over that and realize at the very last she reminds us life can be steered away from its sometimes predictable, even boring, path by something as seemingly insignificant as adding an extra teaspoon of vanilla to the muffin batter. Who knows, you may even dab some on your pulse points and let the rest of the world wonder why you smell so...exuberant. I'm sure Diane Ackerman would expect nothing less.
THEORIES ABOUT TRUTH
Compare your findings about definitions to this Wikipedia discussion that includes philosophical theories about the nature of truth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth
TRUTH
At Humanityquest.com compare the definitions of truth given in a long list of dictionaries. You might also try the same for the word reality.
http://humanityquest.com/topic/Definitions/index.asp?theme1=truth
WORD CONNOTATION
At this site note how the word connotation is given numerous definitions. Studying and comparing each one can help us expand our understanding of the meaning of the term.
http://www.answers.com/topic/connotation