W2_3_Etymology

Summary

This video explores the fascinating field of atmology, the study of word origins, and its impact on vocabulary development. It delves into the history of English, tracing its evolution through influences from Latin, Greek, French, and other languages. The video highlights how understanding word origins can improve comprehension, expand vocabulary, and enhance creative expression. Techniques like word dissection, cognate recognition, and dictionary exploration are presented to help learners effectively build their language skills. Through captivating examples, viewers are shown how words evolve and how atmology can be a powerful tool for mastering English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emojis are pictorial representations of emotions, and the word 'emoji' comes from the Japanese words 'e' (picture) and 'moji' (character).
• 😀 The word 'salary' originated from the Latin word 'sal', meaning salt, which was once a valuable commodity used as compensation.
• 😀 Atmology is the study of the origin, history, and evolution of words, and it helps us understand the cultural and historical context behind language.
• 😀 English is a linguistic melting pot, with borrowings from languages like French, Germanic, Greek, and Latin, reflecting the diverse history and society.
• 😀 Words can evolve over time through broadening, narrowing, or shifts in meaning, such as the word 'nice', which has changed from 'ignorant' to 'pleasant'.
• 😀 Many Indian words like 'bandana', 'shampoo', and 'yoga' have made their way into the English language, showing the global influence on English vocabulary.
• 😀 Modern English incorporates technological terms like 'selfie', 'hashtag', and 'emoji', along with blend words like 'blog' and 'brunch'.
• 😀 Atmology aids vocabulary development by helping us understand the origins of words, offering contextual clues and subtle connotations.
• 😀 Techniques for building vocabulary through atmology include word dissection, recognizing cognates, and creating associations with visual imagery.
• 😀 Language learning apps and games, such as Scrabble or crossword puzzles, can help reinforce knowledge of atmology and improve vocabulary.

Q & A

What is atmology?

Atmology is the study of words, their origins, history, and the way their meanings evolve over time.

How did the word 'salary' originate?

The word 'salary' comes from the Latin word 'sal', meaning salt. In ancient times, salt was valuable and was sometimes used as a form of compensation for work, leading to the term 'salarium'.

Why is the study of atmology important in vocabulary development?

Studying atmology helps in understanding word meanings more accurately, revealing nuances, providing contextual clues, and aiding memory retention through visual imagery and word associations.

What role did the Norman Conquest play in shaping the English language?

The Norman Conquest in 1066 introduced many French words into English, especially those related to governance and law, such as 'government', 'Parliament', and 'jail'.

What is the origin of the word 'atmosphere'?

The word 'atmosphere' comes from the Greek words 'atmos', meaning vapor or steam, and 'sphaira', meaning sphere, referring to the layer of gases surrounding a celestial body.

How do words evolve over time?

Words can broaden, narrow, or shift in meaning. For example, 'holiday' originally meant a 'holy day', but now it can refer to any vacation day. Similarly, 'girl' once referred to a child of any gender but now specifically refers to a female child.

Can you give an example of a word that has experienced a shift in meaning?

The word 'nice' originally meant 'ignorant' in Latin ('nescius') and over time evolved to mean 'pleasant' in modern English.

What are some examples of words that have entered English from other languages?

Examples include 'bandana' (from Hindi), 'shampoo' (from Hindi), 'guru' (from Sanskrit), 'veranda' (from Portuguese), and 'yoga' (from Sanskrit).

How can you use atmology to improve vocabulary?

Atmology can be used to break down words into their root words, prefixes, and suffixes, recognize cognates in other languages, create word associations, explore dictionaries for etymology, and use language learning apps and games.

What is the importance of recognizing cognates in language learning?

Recognizing cognates helps learners identify words that share a common origin across different languages, making it easier to infer the meanings of new words. For example, the English word 'night' shares a common root with the German 'Nacht' and the Spanish 'noche'.