COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Sanjay Kumar, Currently Associate Professor of

English at JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU), Jaipur

Pushp Lata, Currently Head, Department of Languages,

BITS, Pilani

Oxford University Press 2011

Chapter: 8
Building Advanced Vocabulary

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Learning Objectives
To

understand importance of good vocabulary To know the various ways to learn new words learn a large number of words through their roots, prefixes, suffixes, synonyms, and antonyms To know how words can be learnt within a context by working out some situations To develop technical words by using them in appropriate sentences To use phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions in an apt manner To learn one-word substitution, homonyms, homophones, and eponyms To differentiate between the words that are generally confused

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Words
For every single idea , belief , emotion and sentiment we need words. Without words we are dumb and inexpressive like animals At Professional front : Our credential is our ability to use words-powerful words Also appropriate usage for good communication

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Example
Ashish: What did he look like? Was he really good-looking? Preeti: Not really! In fact, he appeared so lanky and enervated that he even seemed gauche and emaciated. Ashish: And even then you appreciate him so much? Preeti: Appreciate? I feel I have started adoring that person. Ashish: He was so good? Was it only his manner that impressed you? Preeti: Oh no! Even the matter was quite profound. It was a perfect blend of matter and manner, a mesmerizing mix of what he said and how he said it.

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Meaning of the Words by Finding Them in Other Contexts

In his earlier movies, the star appeared to be quite lanky. His enervated face told me that he had not been keeping well. Wilber never knew how to be graceful and always remained gauche and clumsy. The patient whom they brought on the wheelchair appeared quite emaciated and sick. In times of corruption, we not only love but also adore those who do their duties properly. The hungry dog pounced upon the porridge. With profound grief, we have to announce that he is no more.

The dancer gave a mesmerizing performance.

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True or False

A lanky person is lean and thin. An enervated body is quite supple and healthy. If someone considers you gauche, they consider you clumsy and awkward. An emaciated person appears sturdy and well built. When you adore someone, you like them to the extent of worshipping them. When you pounce on food, you are usually quite hungry. Something profound is superficial and non-serious. A mesmerizing performance is quite captivating.

Note: When you see a word in different contexts and associations, your affinity with it is likely to grow.
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Word Formation
A simple way to define, understand, and utilize a word is by coming to know its formationThe root that it comes from . Prefixes and suffixes that change not only the shape of a word but also its shade and meaning.

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Roots
Knowing the meaning of roots helps us to deduce thw meaning of words encountered. But words with same root may have distinct meaning. Also, meaning of words changes with change in context. Examples An amiable person id friendly. An amicable solution is peacefully arrived at. An acute pain is sharp and intense. An acerbic tone is harsh and unpleasant. A circumspect approach is cautious and careful. If you write with circumlocutions, you beat about the bush a lot.

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Contd
When people are euphoric, they are happy and excited about something. When you eulogize someone, you praise him/her. A culpable crime is one that calls for punishment. This is how we can associate the words with their roots:

Root
am ac circ eu

Meaning
Love, friendliness Sharpness Around Good

Words
Amiable, Amicable Acute ,Acerbic Circumspect, Circumlocutions Euphoric, Eulogize

Culp

Punish

Culpable, Inculpate, Exculpate

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Prefixes and Suffixes

Certain beginning or endings can add to meaning or change meaning of the existing word. Along with roots ,suffixes and prefixes also help us to deduce meaning of a word. Examples

In
Prefix

sane
Root word

insane
New word

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Contd
Achieve
Root word

Able
Suffix

Achievable
New word

Various types of suffixes and prefixes

Depending on the impact on the meaning of word we categorize suffixes and prefixes Example: Negative prefix- IN: IN+ Sufficient = Insufficient (not sufficient) Noun Suffix- NESS: Kind+ Ness = Kindness Adverbial suffix- LY: Adjective suffix- ful : Loud +Ly =Loudly Mind + Ful =Mindful

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Synonyms
SYN

Greek word for together Greek word for name

ONYM

Synonym

word or expression that has almost the same meaning as another word or expression

In English almost all words have synonyms Example

WORD Enormous See Synonyms Big ,Huge , Massive ,Gaint , Immense Watch , Observe , notice , spot, evisage
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Antonyms

Word which has the opposite meaning to a particular word or Negative connotation of a particular word Examples
Antonyms hate, dislike, detest, loathe, despise, abominate blunt, dull, even, moderate, blurred, dim, slow

WORD Like Sharp

Sometimes by removing the prefix, we can get the word opposite in meaning. Examples IgnobleNoble InfallibleFallible IncorrigibleCorrigible InterminableTerminable ImpertinentPertinent InextricableExtricable

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Learning Words Through Situations

Its important to know formation of words.

It is all the more important to understand how to use them i.e. how to use the right word at the right place in different situations.

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Example
Situation When you grow from childhood to adolescence, there are numerous complexities that confront you. You are neither a child nor a man. Parents chide you for being petulant and admonish you for pretending to be a savant. At times your suggestions are brushed aside as nave ideas and on other occasions your hopes are seen as chimerical and fanciful. In the above situation some of the words used are: Numerous things are in large number. When you confront a situation, you face it. When someone chides you, they scold you. A petulant person is the one who behaves in a childish manner.

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Homonyms and Homophones

Homonyms are distinct words that have the same form. Examples Bank (where money is deposited) Bank (of a river) Homophones are distinct words that are spelled differently but pronounced alike or sound alike. Examples Why dont you write to us? You have no right to speak to me like that?

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Words often Confused

Besides homonyms and homophones, there are a large number of words that are confused with one another. Examples 1. Ghastly (causing fear): After the bomb blast, the site looked ghastly. Ghostly (relating to ghosts): Dont narrate ghostly stories, they scare me. 2. Ordinance (law, bill): A new ordinance is likely to be passed in the parliamentary session. Ordnance (military supplies): The ordnance factory was blown away by the rebels. 3. Fare (travel charges): I was reimbursed the train fare. Fair (just): Be fair to others.

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One Word Situation

A single word can be used to express an idea concisely. It provides the precision that lends brevity and exactness to our expression Examples
Word Theist

Expression A person who believes in God

The short remaining part of a cigarette

A tendency to favor ones relatives Someones life history written by another person Someones life history written by himself Impulsive stealing

Stub
Nepotism Biography Autobiography Kleptomania

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Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs lends a communicative and interactive touch to a persons expression. phrasal verbs essentially express the notion in action. Many phrasal verbs are used in similar and closely connected ideas ,so a lot of confusion occurs over the choice of the best phrasal verb in a particular situation.

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Example
1. Though we have sorted out our differences, she still keeps ___________ me, Marx said dolefully. (a) Going with (d) Going on (b) Going at (e) None of the above (c) Going for Key: The context here suggests that despite the reconciliation, someone keeps attacking the speaker. Hence, the option going for fits the context. To go at something is to work on that with great enthusiasm. When you go with something, you support that. Something that goes on continues to happen over a period of time.

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Idiomatic Expressions
Add to ones style the warmth, intensity, and a personal tinge which is an essential feature of an emphatic and effective expression. Examples 1. Jump bail: Run away while being tried in court He was on parole but he jumped bail and was never traced. 2.Spill the beans: Tell everything When the police exerted a little more force, the thief spilled the beans.

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Developing Technical Vocabulary

Number of words are particular to that subject or field of knowledge i.e. they refers to different meaning in different work fields. It is crucial that you possess the technical vocabulary to be able to communicate the nuances of your own field of study and interest. Examples Laser beamsMost laser beams are just beams of light but they have properties that distinguish them from ordinary light. BladeAfter you push down on the arm of the hand-held stapler, the top-leaf spring raises the blade from the magazine, and the magazine and base move apart. OxymoronAn oxymoron combines two terms that are normally contradictory to each other such as pleasant nightmare, living death.

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Eponyms

Terms or names given to a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or situation. Usually such terms and names emanate from some historical characters, mythological figures, or legendary or fictional characters. Generally used to convey the mystery, perplexity, controversy, or any other peculiarity about a person, place, or situation

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Example
Word/Term Meaning and Background Usage

Achilles heel A term used to describe the vulnerable point on the body of an (Achilles otherwise invulnerable Achilles, the from strongest Greek warrior in the TROY(Brad Trojan War. The legend suggests Pitt)) that by dipping the infant Achilles into the river Styx, his mother had made him invulnerable. However, the infant Achilles heel, by which he was held by his mother, remained a vulnerable spot on his body where he was hit by Prince Paris with a poisoned arrow
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Despite all the professed preparation for the Cricket World Cup, the toothless pace attack may turn out to be the Indian teams Achilles heel.

Thank You!!!

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