The working vocabulary of the average 14-year-old has declined in the last 50 years from 25,000 words to 10,000. Language reflects the depth of our human experience. Because we think in words, are we losing the capacity to say what we feel?
Like, whatever.
I recently used this saying in a e-mail and realized afterward that I had no idea if I used the correct term: “bear” or “bare.” I then realized that was because I have no idea of the meaning behind this saying.
As it turns out, it’s much easier to remember which spelling to use if you know the whole story. (As is often the case in life in general.) 🙂
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
It is no wonder that foreigners have so much trouble learning English. This is the perfect example of how difficult it can be to understand how words that sound alike are used, and how one must know the difference between the sound and the written word use in writing. Of course the thought of learning all of the Chinese characters seems way more overwhelming to me!
If I had a dime for every time I’ve done this~put it in the bank~earned interest on it from the time I was old enough to speak…well, I think those dimes would have created a nice little “nest egg” (hope I used that correctly;-) by now.
Can you imagine how difficult it must be for many immigrants to learn English? We have so many words that sound exactly the same but are spelled differently & can mean a multitude of things. But it is fun hearing/reading a word or phrase in a new light. Kids seem especially gifted at turning a phrase on its ear. I’m sure it something I never grew out of, so to speak:-)