Defining Words

It’s an almost daily habit, for me, of thinking about the meaning of words. Especially when I have a “word of the day” pop up on my radar, along with a definition, and an example of how it’s used.

Just yesterday, the word was…. (drumroll…) …wait for it…

Fall

To descend, either suddenly or gradually; particularly, to descend by the force of gravity; to drop; to sink; as, the apple falls; the tide falls; the mercury falls in the barometer. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Luke x. 18.

Wait. Did my iPhone shortcut actually use a definition that has a Biblical reference! That gave me pause! What is this dictionary that is in my shortcut? First, it gives me a simple word I probably learned from hard experience before I even knew how to read! Secondly, a biblical reference! Thirdly. I’m into obscure and little-used words. Fall doesn’t fall into this scenario, except there are 18 possible definitions and uses!

When I read my Kindle books I’m always highlighting and bookmarking words, reading the definition supplied by an add-on, but then enjoy studying them later on. Some make it into my vocabulary, others make me rethink how I’ve used them, and still, some make me wonder where they came from, to begin with!

Source of Words

The study of the source of words, you know, their history, is called etymology. The way I am today had I know I could have had a career in this, who knows where my focus would be today!

Where do these word lists come from? Why are words so complicated? Where are they sourced from, and how did they become dominant in our English language?

Some say English is a very hard language to learn, and from many sources, I’ve found that there are a host of reasons we struggle. With challenges like dialect, spelling, pronunciation, inflections, and rules that are not standard between similar words, well, just think about it. It’s no wonder it’s difficult!

I would dare say that all of our English words find their source from other languages that have roots of other sources themselves. Latin. French. Spanish. German. Chinese. Japanese…just to scratch the surface.

From a missionary several decades ago, I learned that China had over 2,200 dialects and sometimes you needed a translator to just go to the next village. In Japan, it is said, you will need to learn 2000-3000 of their words just to have a basic understanding of the language.

Compared to all the other languages, alphabets, dialects, inflections and their own inconsistencies, I think I’m happy with English, even with all of its inconsistencies!

Inconsistencies exist everywhere!

Though, Bough, Rough, are good examples of what I’m talking about! All three end in “ough” but they are pronounced as “Thru,” “Bow,” and “Ruff” — are we crazy?

There, Their, They’re!!! Your and You’re.
Do, Due, Dew. See and Sea.
Two, To, Too. Bear, Bare.
Buy, By, Bye.
This list is lengthy!

Pluralities are spelled differently. Letters are shifted around with no rhyme or reason. Imagine being a Grammer Queen and having to learn all the inconsistencies! Here’s a good article from Grammarly. They are called Irregular Plural Nouns.

One of my favorite words that shift letters speaks of a “fire” that becomes “fiery”!

Here’s My Thought Today

Defining words is really in the mind of the user. It’s rooted in their culture, country, county, and continent. Then, take the variety of personalities in one’s foundation, you may have a variety of cross-cultural experiences that influence a growing child.

Paul tells Timothy: “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13 NKJV)

That word “pattern” is an interesting word. My Strong’s Concordance tells me it’s a figurative word that is used for something to be imitated. In other words, used Paul’s words as the source from which you imitate your own sounds and teachings from.

“Sound” indicates an understanding of health, and perhaps this is crucial. We should speak words in a pattern that are healthy, and without corruption. Could it simply be we choose the best words that promote healthy conversation? Do not obfuscate or pontificate, but speak healthy-sounding words that are just right for the receiver!

Finally, “words” are simply the topic at hand, but it includes the idea of reasoning with our mind and communicating a topic that we know something about. We’ve all heard people speak and you knew they had no idea what they were talking about – they were simply following a soundtrack or reading a speech.

Let’s Apply This

Side by side, Jesus has a conversation with two individuals from two different backgrounds, and from two cultural experiences.

With Nicodemus (John 3), he is dealing with a very learned person who was asking some very necessary questions. I think of them as clarity points. “Help me understand.”

In the next chapter (John 4), Jesus is alone at a well in Samaria talking with a woman of questionable past. We never learn her name, but we learn her history. Jesus speaks with her on a totally different level.

But, he conveyed the same truth. Go ahead, read both chapters and see if you can find this to be factual!

There is a desperate need for the truth to be shared, but it needs to be shaped to the audience! Enter into a crowd of academics, and you will speak at one level. But try to reach your next door neighbor, then you will communicate totally different. Your words will change, but your message must be the same.

Are You A Communicator?

All of us communicate, but we often fail to understand the needs of the audience. When I call Customer Support, they may have a script to use for every need, but if they do not know how to communicate to my particular position or language, then we all struggle finding a solution!

Adaptability. Varied vocabulary. And knowing what the words mean!

Words do two major things:
They provide food for the mind
and create light for understanding and awareness.”
~Jim Rohn