Do you remember growing up and hearing things like "You don't know what it means? Look it up in the dictionary" or "Maybe if you read more you'd have a bigger vocabulary" or "You used the word 'great' six times in the paragraph. Find a synonym." from adults? Those were dreaded words - words that required thought and ultimately more effort on your part. Boo. Stupid adults. I never liked hearing those words either.
Except . . . according to all legal paperwork and social norms . . . and of course my students . . . I am now an adult. (*insert congratulatory sounds here*) YAY! This means that I should now, after years of being a student and hearing the aforementioned words, be able to proudly use my newfound vocabulary. It also means that I have the pleasure of saying things like "Maybe if you read more, you'd have a bigger vocabulary" or "...dictionary." or "You need to find a synonym for 'get'". Finally!
However, one would think that with this kind of power comes excitement over its potential usage . . . something along the lines of "Ha Ha! Now you must do as I say!" (*insert sense of gloating here*)
Sadly, though, the truth is more often than not it pains me to have to use the phrases mentioned above. Everyone always says "what's happening to the next generation?" but I have to wonder if there isn't some truth to the matter. Today I used words like "prestige", "counterintuitive", "subsequent", "non sequitur" (ok, ok, that one I'll admit is a little out of normal vocabulary potential. . . but it's such a fun word!) and "abrasive", and all were met with "Huh?" / "English please" / "What does that mean?" / "non-what?!?" It was a very unnerving moment. I'm not blaming, but these sorts of words are not readily available on reality TV or in email or youtube videos. They don't pop-up in today's movies or videogames, and if these are the fundamental portals utilized in students' free time, then what is to be expected? It is just a slightly scary realization.
But wait . . . portal? Damn! What does "portal" mean????
I totally understand. My mom did that when I was little. I never understood why I couldn't just ask people for the definitions of commonly used words. But, thanks to my dear mother, I've grown to love my dictionary.
ReplyDeleteAnd you probably know how to use it! Sadly, I think using a dictionary or encyclopedia is becoming an art form. Although, as an adult you do find you reap the benefits of using those words (or at least knowing their meaning when hearing them used) you at one point looked up in a dictionary!
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