How to Understand Language Better through Etymology 

Words are the currency of written or spoken communication. Daily, we rely on words to tell stories, ask questions, and explain things. There are over 171,000 English language words in use today, with over 47,000 obsolete words. English is an etymologically dynamic language with varied applications of word roots and prefixes. 

While English is a primarily Germanic language, there are also many connections to the words we use with prefixes or single root usage in Greek, Latin, Spanish, and French. 

If you’ve ever wondered where a word comes from and whether that word has always been used in the same way, you may be interested in the study of etymology. 

What is Etymology?  

The study of word history and meaning is known as etymology. There’s a difference between the origin of a word and etymology: etymology goes beyond the core root of a word when it first came into use and explores how that word has evolved over time, too. Words develop semantic meaning and different applications across history, and etymology helps to chart that. 

Whether you’re looking to expand your vocabulary, build your own world and language through creative writing, start learning a new language or complete a literary analysis, understanding etymology deepens your understanding of the history and meaning of words. For business, academic, fiction and nonfiction writers, etymology broadens your awareness of a word’s meaning and adds authenticity to your writing. 

Etymology Of Words 

As with many other languages, English is living and evolving. Words change meanings over time, new words come into widespread use, and other words fall out of use. When you look into the etymology of words, you’ll see how roots and prefixes have been adopted from other languages and applied through word use. 

The word concept, for example, comes from the 1550s Medieval Latin word conceptum, which means “abstract” or “draft”, but it also merges with the classical Latin “concep-”, meaning “a thing conceived.” That Latin root evolved from the stem concipere, which means “to take in and hold.” 

Etymology Of Names 

If you’re curious about the original meaning of a name, you can explore the name’s etymology. 

One etymology example for names is Jessica. This name has roots in the Hebrew name Iscah. The etymology of the name is “vision,” “sight,” or “to see ahead.” 

Many people look up the etymology of a name when preparing to welcome a new child into their home. For many new parents, this is an important process that bestows the meaning or honor of their name on the child. 

How Understanding Etymology Helps You Write 

We use words every day to describe things to others, and etymology plays an important role in deepening your language knowledge as you write. 

There are a few reasons why exploring etymology makes you a better writer: 

• You appreciate the interconnected of concepts and words 
• You can apply the proper word use for your intended meaning 
• You can understand the world and people around you better

Etymology equips you with skills to write more clearly, but you might also find that you’re a better reader thanks to your new knowledge about the history of the English language, too. 

How Understanding Etymology Helps You Learn Languages 

The history of a word also helps new language learners understand and memorize vocabulary. Many teachers of foreign languages use etymological components in their lesson plans and learning strategies. 

For anyone who wants to pick up a new language for fun, to begin a side hustle as a translator or become a Spanish interpreter or teacher, etymology enables you to break down the parts of words for easier learning. 

Even though languages use different words and phrases to describe things, in many cases, these words share roots in Greek or Latin. When you’re learning and using a new language, these roots can give you important context clues for memory recall. 

Using a Dictionary to Discover Etymology

To uncover the etymology of a word, you can use either a physical dictionary or an online etymology dictionary. If you’re simply interested in where words come from, or you’re adding a new language skillset, start researching the etymology of a word as you go. 

Etymology of Etymology 

The word etymology has its own roots in other languages. The Greek word etumos means “true.” The concept etumologia was used to describe the study of words. The word ethimoligie in Old French influenced our current pronunciation of the term in English. 

Dive Deeper into Etymology 

Knowing the roots of words isn’t just fun; you can flex your new word skills at your next trivia game, dinner party, or Jeopardy audition! 

Etymology empowers you with the knowledge of what a word really means and how that usage has changed over time. 

With a more comprehensive appreciation of the meaning of a word, you can express yourself more accurately. You may also find it easier to learn a new language or to create a language or slang for fiction characters in books. There are many potential applications for etymology when you better understand a word’s roots and evolution. 

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