自考本科段英语(二)课文Unit 9

Unit 9                   Learned Words and Popular Words            Text A In every cultivated language there are two great classes of words which, taken together, make up the whole vocabulary. First, there are those words with we become familiar in ordinary conversation, which we learn, that is to say, from the members of our own family and from our friends, and which we should know and use even if we could not read or write. They concern the common things of life, and are the stock in trade of all who speak the language. Such words may be called “popular,’’ since they belong to the people at large and are not the possession of a limited class only. On the other hand, our language includes a large number of words which are relatively seldom used in ordinary conversation. Their meanings are known to every educated person, but there is little occasion to use them at home. Our first acquaintance with them comes not from our mother’s lips or from the talk of our classmates, but from books that we read, lectures that we hear, or the more formal conversation of highly educated speakers who are discussing some particular topic in an elevated style. Such words are called “learned’’, and the difference between themelevated and “popular’’ words is of great importance to a right understanding of language. The difference between popular and learned words may be easily seen in a few examples. We may descried a girl as “lively’’ or as “vivacious.’’ In the fist case, we are using a native English word formed from the familiar noun life. In the latter, we are using a Latin derivative which has exactly the same meaning. Yet the atmosphere of the two words is quite different. No one ever got the adjective lively out of a book. It is a part of everybody’s vocabulary. We cannot remember a time when we did not know it, and we feel sure that we learned it long before we were able to read. On the other hand, we must have passed several years of our lives before learning the word vivacious. We may even remember the first time that we saw it in print or heard it from some grown-up friend. Both lively and vivacious are good English words, but lively is popular and vivacious is learned. The terms “popular’’ and “learned,’’ as applied to words, are not absolute definitions. No two persons have the same stock of words, and the same word may be “popular’’ in one man’s vocabulary and “learned’’ in another’s. There are also different grades of “popularity.’’ Still, the classification into “learned’’ and “popular’’ is convenient and sound. Different opinions may come up as to the classification of any particular word, but there can be no difference of opinion about the general principle. We must be careful, however, to avoid misconception. When we call a word “popular,’’ we do not mean that it is a favorite word, but simply that it belongs to the people as a whole_ that is, it is everybody’s word, not the possession of a limited numbed. When we call a word “learned’’ we do not mean that it is used by learned persons alone, but simply that its presence in the English vocabulary is due to books and the cultivation of literature rather than to the actual needs of ordinary conversation.  (559 words)  (7)  (33)                How Should You Build UP Your Vocabulary?                        Text B Through Context When students in a college class were asked what should be done when they came across a new word in their reading, 84 percent said, “Look it up in the dictionary.’’ If you do, however, you interrupt the very mental processes needed to make your efforts productive. But there’s another reason. Suppose someone asks you what the word “fast’’ means. You answer, “swift.’’ But does it mean that in such contexts as “fast color,’’ “fast woman,’’ or “fast friend’’? And if a horse is fast, is it securely tied or running at top speed? It could be either. It all depends. On the dictionary? No, on context_ on how the word is actually used. After all there are over twenty different meanings for “fast’’ in the dictionary. But the dictionary doesn’t tell you which meaning is intended. That’s why it makes such good sense to begin with context.  Through Word Parts Now for the next step. Often new words contain one or more parts, which, if recognized, provide specific help with meaning. Suppose you read that someone “had a preference for reading travel books.’’ The context certainly isn’t too helpful. But do you see a prefix, suffix, or root that you know? Well, there’s the familiar prefix pre-, meaning “before.’’ Look back at the context and try inserting “before.’’ Reading travel books apparently comes “before’’ other kinds of reading. Yes, a preference is something put “before’’ something else. Your second step, then, is to look for familiar word parts. If they do not give you exact meanings, they should at least bring you much closer. Now you can see why you should consult the dictionary last, not first. You’ve looked carefully at context. You’ve looked for familiar word parts. Now you play Sherlock Holmes_ an exciting role. You guess. What exactly does that strange word mean? Only when you go through the mental exercises to come up with a tentative definition should you open the dictionary to see if you’re right. After all, those first two steps or approaches spark a stronger. Than usual interest in that dictionary definition. You’re now personally involved. Did you find out the word meaning? You heightened interest will lead to better memory of both word and meaning. It also encourages your development of the habits needed to speed your progress. And when you see in black and white the definition you had expected, what a feeling of success is yours. In that way, the CPD Formula provides you with maximum effectiveness. Well, there it is, your new formula_ Context, Parts Dictionary. Use it! The exercises which follow will give you specific, step-by-step help in sharpening your awareness of contextual clues, learning the most useful word parts, and using the dictionary with increased accuracy and ease. The results will be like money in the bank.  (479 words)  (6)  (26)