How do you deal with unfamiliar words?

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Tommie H Odom
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Re: How do you deal with unfamiliar words?

Post by Tommie H Odom »

When I come in contact with new words and don't know the meaning of them. I play them over in my mind and look at the usage of them in a sentence. I also look them up to see how they are used in the dictionary and the meaning of them.
jhmende
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Post by jhmende »

I think, most of the time, it's the same thing with me. I just read on and use the context to figure out what the word means. It just doesn't work when you read a book like "Finnegan's Wake" xD
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Post by ZamaMbatha88 »

I always have my dictionary ready to get the meaning and the right pronunciation of the word. Theain reason I read is to expand my vocabulary...
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Post by EmperorOfBooks »

If I ever find a word I don't know, I look to see if there are any context clues that will help me. And if there aren't any, I simply search it up and I memorize it!
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Shevi
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Post by Shevi »

My vocabulary is very limited, and for this reason I have problem expressing myself. I simply cannot find the words! So with this in mind I have always encouraged myself to read, and whenever I encounter an unfamiliar word I use it as an exercise to find the meaning and try to learn the word. I use a dictionary app on my smartphone and it gives a sounding of the word properly.
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jlindquist
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Post by jlindquist »

Hey DennisK, I also am generally able to figure out the meaning of the word through context. If I am unable to figure it out I look it up online then reread the sentence to make sure I comprehend the author's meaning.
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Post by Kb3ck »

When it comes to unfamiliar words I try to use the context of the book to figure out the definition. If that does not work I then crack open the dictionary and see what it has to say.
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Post by karolinka »

I always have a dictionary handy, when I read a book where I might find an unfamiliar word. I like to collect obscure words anyway- they are interesting and make for great conversation topics~
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DennisK
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Post by DennisK »

Shevi wrote:My vocabulary is very limited, and for this reason I have problem expressing myself. I simply cannot find the words! So with this in mind I have always encouraged myself to read, and whenever I encounter an unfamiliar word I use it as an exercise to find the meaning and try to learn the word. I use a dictionary app on my smartphone and it gives a sounding of the word properly.
Shevi, I think most of us experienced times when we perceived a concept that we couldn't express in words – a thought or observation that left us mute. I certainly have. What is that expression I hear now and then … Oh yes, “Words fail me...” Sadly, we can't build upon an unexpressed concept or experience – especially in the abstract world we live in these days.
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DarkPurfect
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Post by DarkPurfect »

I also tend to look at the context the new work appears in. If I can learn the meaning of the word from the situation I will continue to read. Often times, especially while reading Edgar Allen Poe, I have resorted to a quick online dictionary so that I may fully understand the word. This helps me get a better idea of the word as a whole and helps me understand what the author meant by it.
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Shruth24
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Post by Shruth24 »

To be brutally honest I am a very lazy person to check an unfamiliar word every now and then in the dictionary or for that matter even the internet so I just go with the flow of words if everything is making sense to me. And when once in a while if any word keeps me curious and anxious of not understanding the depth and missing out on some knowledge on the book then and only then I sincerely take the effort of finding out what it really means.
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Shashikant N Sharma
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Post by Shashikant N Sharma »

Look up in dictionary or Google search.
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Educational20
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Post by Educational20 »

I ask someone how to spell it or what does the word mean. I also lookup the words.
[CA]
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Post by [CA] »

Pondering denotation vs connotation has often interested me. Also fascinating is considering usage and range of meaning. Encountering a new word feels like meeting a new person; complete with a history, reputation, and skill-set. If only getting to know people were as easy as learning new words.
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Post by DennisK »

[CA] wrote:Pondering denotation vs connotation has often interested me. Also fascinating is considering usage and range of meaning. Encountering a new word feels like meeting a new person; complete with a history, reputation, and skill-set. If only getting to know people were as easy as learning new words.
You remind me of a sentence Brittany Shannon used in her book, OG: “Tasia simply distracts him with physical condolences of love and affection.” It caused my reading to come to a stop. What is an affectionate physical condolence? With a little reflection, I was able to paint a mental picture which was very descriptive of how my wife use to affectionately smooth over stressful times of mine – a wonderfully feminine and descriptive use of words.
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