Archives For November 30, 1999
I would say this is accurate. While I certainly enjoy learning various languages I often do so for my own pleasure rather than for intelligence points. It is rather flustering to be in situations where language learning isn’t adequate to the task. But of course this only serves as more motivation to hit the books with more gusto.
In a globalized, interconnected world, foreign language skills are more important than ever before, and yet Americans do not tend to study foreign languages, with only 18.5% of K–12 public school students studying a foreign language and a mere 8.1% of college and university students enrolled in a foreign language course.
Sad. The poor educational techniques and inability to practice foreign languages through immersion play a big part in the poor language language learning statistics. Unfortunately many can go their entire lives without the need to learn another language.
Interesting research on the language acquisition of bilingual children. It appears that the quantity of exposure is not as important to future language success as the quality. Would be curious to further find out why increase in English growth caused a decrease in Spanish growth but not vice versa. I personally would love my future kids to be competent in multiple languages but not at the expense of English.
Word: Perfunctory [ Per-fungk-tory]
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Done routinely with little interest or care; Acting with indifference; showing little interest or care.
Origin: Late 16th Century from Latin perfungi- to get through with
Example Sentence: The violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and warmth he was once known for.
Derivatives: Perfunctorily (adverb), Perfunctoriness (noun)
Word: Avaricious [ Ah-ver-ishis]
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Immoderately desirous of wealth or gain; greedy. Characterized by avarice; greedy; covetous.
Origin: Mid 15th Century
Example Sentence: They are avaricious and will do anything for money.
Word: Lugubrious [Loo-goo-brius]
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree.
Origin: 17th century from Latin lugere – to mourn.
Example Sentence: The man’s face looked even more lugubrious than usual.
Word: Revelry [Rev-ul-ry]
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: wild and noisy celebration; boisterous merrymaking
Origin: 15th century, from revel – Middle English, from Anglo-French reveler, literally, to rebel, from Latin rebellare
Example Sentence: The lottery winner was exhausted after a long night of revelry.
Word: Surly [sir-lee]
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: bad-tempered and unfriendly.
Origin: Mid 16th century, alteration of obsolete sirly.
Example Sentence: The man left with a surly expression having lost the wager.
Derivatives: Surliness (noun), Surlily (adverb)
Acerbity [əˈsɜːbɪtɪ] 