Choices, Choices:Word Choice
(or: 50 Shades of Meaning…)
Phil HollandIP Exhibition
April 14, [email protected]
TESOL Macedonia Thrace
A non-profit, member-supported, volunteer organization
Recognize this man?
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter –it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
– Mark Twain
“The reports of my death have been greatly ________.”
A) falsifiedB) distortedC) overestimatedD) exaggerated
“The reports of my death have been greatly ________.”
A) falsified
B) distorted
C) overestimated
D) exaggerated
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, together with its 1993 Addenda Section, includes some 470,000 entries. The Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition, reports that it includes a similar number.◦ -- merriam-
webster.com
“Provided our pupil is well equipped with substance, words will follow only too readily.”
-- Montaigne
“When things have taken possession of the mind, words come thick and fast.”
-- Seneca
There are choices to be made Interlocutors negotiate meaningIt takes two to tango
RegisterWords related in meaning Words related in formWord confusions and interference
from Greek
To break the iceAsk students what their favorite
and least favorite English words are
impolite polite
I want a coffee. I’d like a coffee, please.
Give me a coffee. Could I have a cup of coffee?
Gimme cuppa coffee.
Would you be so kind as to…
to get – to obtainto bear – to tolerateto force – to compelto leave – to departto tell – to relateto build – to constructto last – to endureto keep – to preserveto change – to modifyto break – to fractureto live in – to inhabitto rot – to decompose
to stop – to arrest – to terminateto start – to commence – to
initiateto end – to finish – to concludeto look at – to regard – to
considerto ask – to question – to
interrogate
to put off – to postponeto come up with (an idea) – to
conceiveto fall off – to decreaseto get by – to manageto hand in – to submit to tear down – to demolish
The City Council met on Tuesday to look at a proposal to tear down the old Bijou Theater. The Mayor called the Theater a safety hazard, noting its run-down condition. The spokesperson for a preservationist group said they were against the proposal…
The City Council convened on Tuesday to consider a proposal to demolish the old Bijou Theater. The Mayor characterized the Theater as a safety hazard, remarking on its dilapidated condition. The spokesperson for a preservationist group objected to the proposal…
The City Council met on Tuesday to consider a proposal to demolish the old Bijou Theater. The Mayor called the Theater a safety hazard, noting its dilapidated condition. The spokesperson for a preservationist group objected to the proposal…
A B
rich wealthy
sick ill
jam preserves
napkin serviette
What? Pardon?
“Would you ever want to be famous?”
“Sure, why not? Everybody wants to be famous now. You get much money, everybody is talking for you, they see you on the street and they know you. I would like to be a famous football player and play for PAOK.”
“Famous? Yes, but on my own terms. Fame is great, we all want our share of glory, to earn a lot of money, to be recognized on the street, but not at the expense of…”
A few euphemismsto pass away / to pass on / to kick the
bucketcollateral damage friendly fire correctional facilityto terminate with extreme prejudiceto put to sleep / to put downvertically challengedThe Department of DefenseThe Ministry of Truth (in 1984)pacification (“War is Peace”)
From Thesaurus.com
Grading word setsminute – tiny – small – large – huge –
enormouscalm – annoyed – angry – furious –
ballisticfreezing – chilly – cool – lukewarm – warm
– hot – boilingmiserable – unhappy – pleased –
delighted – overjoyed – ecstaticFor you to solve (go from worst to best):wicked – angelic – good – evil – naughty –
nice
www.visualthesaurus.com
http://www.visualthesaurus.com
impressionability
impressionableimpression
unimpressiveimpressive
impressedunimpressed
make an impression on
impress
uninterestinginteresting
uninterestedinterested
be interested inhave/take an
interest indisinterested
interest
impress (in- im-)express (ex-)repress (re-)compress (con- com-)suppress (sub- sup-)oppress (ob- op-)depress (de-)
impress your bossexpress an opinionrepress a memorycompress a filesuppress a rebellionoppress the peopledepress the economy
repel/ repulsiveimpel/ impulsivecompel/ compulsiveexpel/ (expulsive)propel/ propulsive
δουλειά job work
αποτελισματικός effective efficient
καθαρός clean clear
αποτελείαποτελείται
consist in, constitute consist of
αρνούμαι deny refuse
interesting vs. interestedboring vs. bored
ενδιαφέρομαι = I am interesting for
I am interested in
τυπικός typical formal official
οικονομικός economic, financialeconomical, money-
saving
Verbsaccept / agreeachieve / manage / succeedannoy / bother / disturbavoid / preventaward / rewardbe worth / deserve / meritbeat / win /earn / gainborrow / lendcheck / control
collect / gather / pick / pick upcooperate / collaborate / work togethercrash / crushdo / go do / makedress / dress up / get dressedexpect / wait / wait for / awaitforget / leaveget / takegrow / grow up learn / teachlet / leave
listen / hearlose / missmeet / see / get to knowopen / turn on / switch onclose / turn off / switch offowe / ownpaint / dyepass / spendpay / pay forread / studyremind / remembersay / tell
support / argue / maintain / contendswim / go swimming / take a bathtake place / take parttalk about / discussthrow / throw out / throw awaywant / need / takewatch / look / look at / seewish / hopeunderstand / realize
Adjectives/ adverbsactive / erergeticbiological / organicbroken / destroyedconscious / (conscience) / conscientiousempty / blankethnic / nationalnatural / physicalnervous / upset / irritable / anxiousother / next / anotherpleased / satisfied
skeptical / thoughtfulsympathetic / friendlytoo / veryugly / awfulwidespread / widely / worldwide
Nounsagony / anxietyair / windantagonism / competitionattempts / tries / effortsbase / basisbasket / basketballchild / studentcircle / cycleclue / sign / element
cook / cookercompany / friends / group of friendsconscience / consciousnesscrisis / judgmenteditor / publisherepisode / incidentfacts / events / acts / actionsfantasy / imaginationfortune / property / possessionsfresh air / oxygengrade / degree / extent
habits / customshumans / human beings / people /
man / mankind/ humankindkitchen / cooking / cuisineletters / handwritingmean / meansmechanic / engineerparadise / heavenparticipation / participantphysician / physicist / physics teacherpossibility / chance / opportunityprogram(me) / schedule / timetable
room / place / spaceseat / place / post / positionshade / shadowshot / shootsight / site / sightseeingstop / stationstranger / foreignersympathy / empathytarget / goal / aimview / sightwoman / wife
These slides are available on-line at the Better English Για Ελληνες Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/BetterEng?fref=ts
Language users must be language choosers
Lead students to make not just the “right” choices, but informed choices, and (like Flaubert) creative choices…