" 'Tis all a great show, the world that we're in--None can tell when 'twas finished--None saw it begin. "
-- Jones Very
Unit(s): Communication Process
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to explore the dynamics of the English language
Objective:
Students will be able to recognize words that have changed over time.
Materials:
Handout "words that have changed with time"
Procedure:
- Discuss language - connotation and denotation as well as the fact that language is in constant flux.
- Students to test the fluctuation of language vis exercise.
- Students to share words that have changed meanings in their lifetime.
Examples:
sweet
bad
not
fox
Words are the symbols with which we communicate. A common knowledge of these symbols makes it possible for us to tell others what we think and to make ourselves understood. But the words themselves are only symbols. the meanings of these symbols may change.
Words and their original meanings are listed in column 1. Column 2 lists their present meanings. see whether you can match the present meanings to their counterparts in column 1.
Example: rumor - a great uproar
a. thunderstorm
b. news without proof
c. an assembly hall
Answer: (b) news without proof
Words and Original Meaning _____ 1. rummage - to stow cargo in the hold of a ship _____ 2. senate - a gathering of old men _____ 3. infant - not speaking _____ 4. comrade - roomate _____ 5. pretty - tricky, crafty _____ 6. nice - stupid, ignorant _____ 7. school - leisure _____ 8. companion - one who shares his bread with another _____ 9. carpenter - a carriage maker ____ 10. garble - to sift spices ____ 11. hospital - a place where travelers are entertained or sheltered ____ 12. plunder - household goods ____ 13. measles - wretch ____ 14. umbrage - a shadowy outline ____ 15. rival - one who uses the same stream ____ 16. risk - to skirt the cliffs while sailing ____ 17. silly - rustic, happy, innocent ____ 18. chimney - furnase, oven ____ 19. handsome - easy to handle ____ 20. foyer - fireplace ____ 21. villian - a farm land ____ 22. cunning - skillful, knowing ____ 23. sarcasm - act of stripping the flesh ____ 24. stomach - throat or gullet ____ 25. nerve -sinew, tendon ____ 26. explode - to drive out by clapping the hands Present Meaning a. a very young child b. to search thoroughly by moving things about c. agreeable, pleasing d. resentment e. making fun of a person to hurt his feelings f. to rob by force g. an entrance hall h. the legislative assembly of a state or nation i. danger, chance of harm j. a friend k. competitor l. pleasing in appearance m. pleasing, dainty n. a place for teaching and learning o. a very wicked person, a scoundrel p. clever in a deceitful way q. one who goes along with another r. a virus disease s. structure connected with fireplace to carry away smoke t. one who builds or repairs with wood u. distort meaning by scrambling words v. a place where the sick are cared for w. without sense or reason x. in man, the saclike dilation of the alimentary canal occupying the upper part of the left side of the abdomen y. a fiber or bundle of fibers connecting the brain or the spinal cord with the eyes, muscles, glands, etc. z. to blow up, burst with loud noise
