Vocabulary: Overall Vocabulary Mastery & Precision (C2) - Lesson 5: Understanding Historical and Etymological Layers of Vocabulary

Vocabulary: Overall Vocabulary Mastery & Precision (C2) - Lesson 5: Understanding Historical and Etymological Layers of Vocabulary

Lesson 5: The Historical Layers of English Vocabulary An Etymological Approach to Style To achieve the highest level of mastery, we can look at the English lexicon like an archaeological dig. There are distinct layers of vocabulary from different periods of history, and each layer has its own unique feel and function. Understanding the etymology (the origin) of words reveals a fundamental duality in English that is the key to mastering register and style. Key Vocabulary Etymology (noun) | និរុត្តិសាស្ត្រ The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. Duality (noun) | ភាពទ្វេ An instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something. Lexicon (noun) | វាក្យសព្ទ The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge. Layer 1: The Anglo-Saxon Core (Old English) These are the words of the earth. They are often short, direct, and form the backbone of our everyday, informal language. They feel solid, emotional, and c…