Choices, Choices:Word Choice

(or: 50 Shades of Meaning…)

Phil HollandIP Exhibition

April 14, 2013phil.holland44@gmail.com

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…