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By Celia Webb

Greek provides many important prefixes, suffixes, and roots used in the English language. To understand the full meaning of a word, it is essential to know the original meaning of the roots used to form the word. Not only will your comprehension of the word be more complete and accurate, you will understand many more words since roots and other word parts (i.e. affixes, prefixes, suffixes) occur in many English words. For example, Webster’s Dictionary has seventy-seven listings starting with the Greek root -chrom-.

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Root words are most often combined with other word parts to precisely describe a particular phenomena, action, or thing. Continuing with the root word -chrom- an example of this type of combining is chromolithography =chrom (color)+lithos (a stone)+graphien (to write) which is a method of producing color printed pictures using stone or zinc plates. Many roots are much more productive than -chrom- and certain prefixes (like un- meaning not, lack of, the opposite of as in undo) and suffixes (like -ology meaning a specified type of speaking as in eulogy or the science, doctrine, study of, or theory of as in geology) are in hundreds of words. You can greatly improve your command of English by familiarizing yourself with these word parts.

Your command of English spelling will also be strengthened by knowing the origins of a word. Knowing a word originated from Greek gives clues to some of the tricky spellings in English like the silent initial p- in pneumatic and psychopathic.

Here are frequently used Greek roots and their meanings with an example word. Improve your memory of these roots by copying them into a notebook. Write down the root, its definition, and several examples of its use. You can add examples by looking for more in your dictionary. Practice using the words in sentences when writing and speaking. Look for words with these roots in newspaper, magazine, or books you read and underline them. Create flashcards with the Greek root on one side of the card and the meaning or the reverse. The more often you use the word in some way, the better you will remember it.

-aero- (air) aerobics

-angio- (vessel) angioplasty

-anthrop- (human) anthropological

-astro- (constellation) astronomy

-centre- (center) central

-chrom/o- (color) chromatic

-chron- (time) chronograph

-dem- (people) democracy

-hydro- (water) hydroelectric

-kinesis- (movement) kinetic energy

-leuko- (white) leukemia

-litho- (stone) neolithic

-metre- (to measure) meter, geometry

-morph- (form) morphology

-naut- (sailor, ship) astronaut

-path- (feeling, suffering) pathetic

-ped/o- (child, children) pediatrics (do not confuse this Greek root with the Latin root pedi-meaning foot)

-phil/o-(having a strong affinity or love for) philosopher

-phon- (voice, sound) phonograph

-phos-,-photo- (light) phosphorus, photography

-pneu- (to breathe) pneumonia

-pseudo- (false) pseudography

-psych- (soul, mind) psychoanalyze

-tele- (distant) telephone

-therm- (hot) isotherm

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Knowing Greek roots can help you discern the meaning of a word and expand your vocabulary exponentially. Study them carefully and your ability to understand precisely what you read and hear will improve.

About the Author

Celia Webb, President of Pilinut Press, Inc., publishers of advanced readers for children and ESL students. Check out http://www.pilinutpress.com for more free articles on developing reading-related skills, word games and puzzles, and activity sheets for the company’s entertaining and educational books.

Linguistics: An Introduction by Prof William B. McGregor

Publication Date: 15th January, 2009.

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Reviews

“At last – an introduction to the study of language that is neither theory-neutral nor generative, but one that is cognitivist and functional. It highlights the links of linguistics with psychology, neuroscience and biological evolutionary theory. In addition it is engaging, pedagogically well thought through, lucidly written and nicely presented. The perfect book for beginners!” - Dr Eva Eppler, Senior Lecturer in English Language & Linguistics, Roehampton University, UK

‘’William McGregor’s new textbook is an excellent introduction to linguistics. It is clear, precise and readable, comprehensible and comprehensive, and it is eminently usable as both a core course text as well as a reference work. It also does not neglect the extensions and applications of linguistics in the real world. This book is likely to become the benchmark for linguistics texts in the next few years.’’ Peter Stockwell, Professor of Literary Linguistics, University of Nottingham, UK

“In this introductory text McGregor offers a clear and well-constructed account of core concepts, leading students to explore linguistic diversity with an impressive range of languages and examples, particularly in the later chapters of the book. A reflective student or independent reader with a fascination for the subject will find a wealth of material relevant to basic puzzles about language and more than ample guidance for further study.” - Dr Michael Lumsden, Department of Modern Languages, The University of Hull

“William McGregor has produced a textbook which unfolds the study of language in a refreshing and lively way, positions the subject in relation to adjacent disciplines, and gives the beginning student a general view of the complexity and diversity of the world’s languages.” Dr David Cram, University of Oxford, UK

About the Author

William McGregor has produced a fresh and contemporary introductory textbook for all students of linguistics and language studies.

‘’William McGregor’s new textbook is an excellent introduction to linguistics. It is clear, precise and readable, comprehensible and comprehensive, and it is eminently usable as both a core course text as well as a reference work. It also does not neglect the extensions and applications of linguistics in the real world. This book is likely to become the benchmark for linguistics texts in the next few years.’’
Peter Stockwell, Professor of Literary Linguistics,University of Nottingham, UK

“At last – an introduction to the study of language that is neither theory-neutral nor generative, but one that is cognitivist and functional. It highlights the links of linguistics with psychology, neuroscience and biological evolutionary theory. In addition it is engaging, pedagogically well thought through, lucidly written and nicely presented. The perfect book for beginners!” –
Dr Eva Eppler, Senior Lecturer in English Language & Linguistics, Roehampton University, UK

Content Review

This textbook has been designed for and is based around taught courses. It is integrally pedagogic. It features Summary Boxes, Full Chapter Summaries, Key Terms, Issues for Further Thought, Study Questions and Further Reading.

It includes examples from languages other than English, including those from the Scandinavian and Australasian regions. It has been extensively student tested and is supported by a Companion Website that features multiple choice questions, sound clips and multimedia.

Description
Linguistics is a fresh and contemporary introductory textbook for all students of linguistics and language studies. It is firmly based around taught courses and caters to student needs: it addresses all the topics that a student will need in their initial and subsequent study of language.

With key terms, further reading, questions at the end of each chapter, exercises and key paragraphs in stand-out boxes, this is a firmly pedagogic text that takes difficult concepts and explains them in an easy to understand way. Examples are taken from a range of languages across the world. Global in its scope and comprehensive in its coverage, this is the textbook of choice for linguistics students.

Contents

1. Introduction
I. Language: System and Structure
2. Sounds of Language: Phonetics and Phonology
3. Structures of Words: Morphology
4. Lexicon
5. Structure of Sentences: Syntax
6. Meaning: Semantics and Pragmatics
II. Language: A Human Phenomenon
7. Sociolinguistics: Language in its Social Context
8. Psycholinguistics: Language, the Mind, and the Brain
9. Language Acquisition
10. Language in its Biological Context
III. Language: Uniformity and Diversity
11. Unity and Diversity in Language Structure
12. Language Change
13. Languages of the World

PB ISBN 978 1 8470 6367 0 Price: £21.99
HB ISBN 978 1 8470 6366 3 Price: £80.00

When it comes to promoting the importance of women in the field of leadership, the Elizabeth J Somers Women’s Leadership Program (WLP) truly delivers. The program forms a key role in the academic opportunities offer by George Washington University. It is a freshmen level, residential, year-long, academic program and remains true to the legacy of Elizabeth J Somers through the exploration of issues relative to women’s leadership while also meeting some of George Washington University’s general curriculum requirements, school requirements and prerequisite courses for many its majors.

Students participating in the leadership program are required to take two courses and a symposium together each term, and live together in a hall of residence community at the Mount Vernon campus. As an integral part of their courses and program activities, students are able to experience the economic, political and cultural resources of Washington.

So, what exactly is the WLP program?

It is an intellectual program designed around four diverse areas of study, namely; arts and culture, development (economics), politics, and science. Each field of study operates as an adjunct to appropriate humanities and writing courses. The role of the WLP seminar has been designed to provide knowledge about, and experience in, leadership as relates to women and it is these seminars that makes the WLP more than a mere set of individual courses. In addition to the seminars, the program also offers guest speakers, field trips and other special events that bring the students into contact with women of achievement and leadership from many facets of life.

How long is the program?

The leadership program is a year-long program with students enrolling in classes and participating in the seminars in each semester. Fall term is dedicated to the various theories and components of leadership, while Spring term offers many ‘hands-on’ activities.

The Mount Vernon Campus

WLP students are required to reside at the Mount Vernon Campus which consists of elegant academic buildings, libraries, sports fields and various other support facilities necessary for the great university experience. As mentioned, the leadership program is intended for 1st year freshman students.

The course currently offers the following cohorts, more details of which can be found on the easy to navigate, user-friendly and information packed WLP website:

- Globalization, Economics and Business
- Women in Science, Health, and Medicine
- U.S. and International Politics

The Association of University Language Centres in the UK and Ireland 2009 Conference and AGM will be hosted by the University of Limerick Thursday and Friday January 8th and 9th, 2009. The provisional program can be downloaded here.

The specific aims of AULC are:

-To hold regular meetings of members to facilitate discussion, and exchange information, on the diverse activities of university language centres

-To hold regular meetings of members to facilitate discussion, and exchange information, on the diverse activities of university language centres

-To facilitate contacts with university centres internationally and to promote university language centres both within and outside the university community

-To encourage and foster:

A) effective resource management and administration

B) good practice in language learning, teaching and advising

C) research into language learning and teaching methodologies

-To monitor emerging national and international language standards and develop appropriate quality assurance mechanisms

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The new committee reflects the Association itself, in that it brings together a wide range of experience in the fields of language teaching, management and administration, multimedia applications and research. The committee will maintain and develop the links already forged by ALSS and DULC with key national and international organisations.

By Celia Webb

English contains many words adopted from other languages. In fact, experts estimate 80% of English words originated elsewhere. The biggest influence on English vocabulary is Latin. An examination of the 20,000 most used words reveals 5,000 words contain prefixes and over 80% of these use one of only fourteen of the many different prefixes available. By learning these important prefixes, you can improve your mastery of the English language. You will be able to discern at least a partial meaning of words you encounter for the first time by understanding the basic meaning of its prefix.

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Listed below are the most used prefixes, their meanings, and example words. To get the most out of seeing these prefixes, copy them into a notebook. Write down the prefix, its definition, and several examples of its use. You can add examples by looking for more in your dictionary. Practice using the words in your writing and speaking. Look for words with these prefixes in newspaper, magazine, or books and underline them. The more you engage the word in some way (writing, speaking, or underlining), the better you will remember it.

Ab- (away from) abhor, abject, abnormal, absolve

Ad- (to, toward) adapt, adept, adhere, adhesion

Be- (on all sides, overly) bedeck, beset, besmear, besprinkle

Com-, con-, co- (with, together) comfort, commence, compel, complain

De- (reversal, undoing, downward) deceit, decipher, default, deliver

Dis- dif- (not, reversal) differ, difficulty, disable, dishonor

Em-, en- (in, into, to cover or contain) embrace, embroider, engage, engrave

Ex- (out of, former) exalt, examine, example, excerpt

In- (into, not) incline, inconsistent, indecisive, induce

Pre- (before) prejudice, prepare, prescribe, preserve, pretend

Pro- (in favor of, before) proclaim, procure, produce, profound

Re- (again, restore) renew, resolve, reveal, revert

Sub- (under, beneath) subcontract, subculture, subject, subordinate

Un- (do the opposite of) unravel, unroll, unseat, unskilled

Although Latin is considered a “dead� language by many, it lives on in the English vocabulary. Not only do many existing words originate from Latin, many new words are constructed from Latin prefixes, suffixes, and roots. New words to describe or name scientific processes or discoveries are often formed from Latin. Think of words like computer, internet, and digital radio. For digital television, you need to be familiar with both Latin and Greek, the other big contributor to the English language. You can learn more about Greek contributions to the English vocabulary in my next article titled “It was Greek to Me: Improving Your English by Knowing Greek Roots�.

About the Author

Celia Webb, President of Pilinut Press, Inc., publishers of advanced readers for children and ESL students. Check out http://www.pilinutpress.com for more free articles on developing reading-related skills, word games and puzzles, and activity sheets for the company’s entertaining and educational books.