Vocabulary and the Definition of knowledge - Essay Example

Introduction Vocabulary is defined by the the Oxford dictionary as “a body of words used in a particulary language and a body of words known to an individual”. In this wise, it is clear that vocabulary is the unit through which people talk and exchange ideas. On the other hand, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines vocabulary as “a stock of words employed by a language, group, individual or a field of knowledge”. This therefore means that vocabulary shapes the ideas and concepts in a given field of knowledge. This paper evaluate whether vocabulary is just a tool for communication or it is something that determines what can be known by a person. It examines the role of vocabulary in communication at the various ways of knowing; reasoning, perception and knowledge. It goes on to examine the role of vocabulary in the acquisition of knowledge in different areas of knowledge. Vocabulary and the Definition of knowledge It can be identified, that vocabulary shapes the way the authorities in a given area think and define information and knowledge. This is often based on evolutions that occurred over a long period of time. Due to this, there are some important words and ideas which must be known in order to ensure that a person can be considered knowledgeable in a given field. In areas of knowledge like the natural sciences, mathematics and business, there are important basic terminologies that must be known to succeed in knowing anything. This is because if one does not have the right knowledge of important elements of highly technical fields, it is almost impossible to apply knowledge in these areas. Take for instance, biology. If a person does not have the required vocabulary of the human anatomy, it is almost impossible for such a person to get any further training of how the human body works. In this sense, such a person is cannot be considered for further studies in medicine. This is because without these important words and knowledge of different parts of the body and important biological terms about how the body functions, it will be impossible to get an individual to be trained to save life using medical science. This therefore means that it is impossible for people to proceed in fields of the natural sciences if they have limited vocabulary about some basic fields of study. However, we must also agree that the natural sciences did not start as perfect courses of study which people entered into and learnt all the basic vocabulary from inception. Generations before the creation of universities and colleges that teach students terminologies about subjects that become professions also had people who played similar roles. At least, before the concept of money, people could exchange their goods by barter and sick people got some kind of medication. This is because there were some people who had knowledge about trade, commerce and natural sciences through means that are quite different from todays system which involves the acquisition of knowledge through the learning of relevant vocabulary. The big question is how was the vocabulary developed? The simple answer to this question is that people had some clues and ideas about the main concepts behind the vocabulary and terminologies we use in various fields of knowledge. The concept of making life easier and finding solutions to lifes problem led to the development of knowledge. And the consequence of this was that a body of vocabulary was developed in various fields of study to ensure that knowledge could be scientifically passed down from person to person. In this direction, it is apparent that vocabulary is just a means to enable people to communicate and exchange ideas. In the real world today though, it is apparent that one cannot do much without going to school to study a given body of knowledge. In school, the main thing we learn for the first 15 or so years of study are basic definitions. From primary school through to the first few years of university students often learn the definitions of terms to expand their vocabulary. It is at the end of secondary school that people are grouped into various specializations where they continue to learn detailed definitions of terms in their chosen fields of study. It is usually in the last years of university and at the postgraduate levels that people get to apply the vocabulary and concepts that they learn in school. This therefore means that expanding a students vocabulary is the foundation of the acquisition of knowledge and the learning of new skills and ideas. Vocabulary and Childhood Learning Byrnes and Wasik (2009) identify that “... word meanings involve concepts or ideas that language users associate with phonological word forms. The collection of pairing between meanings and spoken words is a persons vocabulary” page 93. This statement made by these two educators suggest that words form the concepts and ideas that define and entrench various items in the mind of a person. This therefore means that vocabulary forms the basis on which people can identify the essence of various ideas and concepts which will help them build knowledge and skills. Words are therefore phonetic compilations that depict the ideas and concepts that form the foundation for certain areas of knowledge. Byrnes and Wasik go on to identify two main reasons why vocabulary is important in the educating of young children. They conducted studies that confirmed these two things which are: 1. Reading involves mapping out and point words onto phonological and semantic representations. This means that reading enables children to build the picture of ideas and concepts as they get the pronounciations and semantics right. 2. Children who enter first grade with spoken vocabularies are often the ones who score the highest in reading tests at the end of first grade. This shows that vocabulary is very important in the earlier years of studies. And since these early years of studies are important in the development of ideas, skills and concepts that shape up the knowledge of people, vocabulary appears to be an important aspect of studies and knowing. However, it is apparent that there are some people who do not do so well at these lower stages in life because their vocabulary building delayed. This does not really get a bearing on them in life because they tend to become successful in life. I know of people who are not really literate and cannot really pronounce so many English words, however, they are more successful in business, music and sports than scholars in these fields. We are all aware that the biggest billionaires like Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs did not really go to university. Most of these people did not build their knowledge through the development of vocabulary. Rather, they identified concepts, commercialized them and made fortunes. They cannot be considered to be ignorant people. Vocabulary and the nature of Knowing However, there seem to be an air of legitimacy in determining the nature of knowledge. The most popular ways of knowing include sense perception, reason, logic, belief and faith. These aspects of knowing do not really require much of vocabulary. You do not need to know the definition of atom to identify a gold bar when you hold it. The reasonable person has a sense of analysis that makes him perceive and believe certain things. This therefore means that aside the concept of declaring some kinds of education as legitimate is a form of limitation placed on the nature of knowing. Knowledge Communities In spite of the limiting nature of formal education, the world of academia is authoritative. This is because educational institutions like schools and colleges form concentrations of learned people and this gives them what Handy describes as expert power (1976). Expert power is the power vested in someone because of his acknowledged expertise. Holders of expert power come together to form institutions that set standards and determine the kind of requirements a person must honour before becoming a member of a certain class or unit of the academic community. It is common that most of these institutions require up and coming scholars to get in-depth knowledge of vocabulary and terminologies in a field of study. Due to this, it can be said that building your vocabulary and speaking in the language of your field is the only way of getting your required qualification. Validity of Knowledge Claims However, we know that there have been some people outside these circles who made claims that are now acceptable all over the world. Millions of people are Christians and accept Jesus as the Son of God. However, Jesus was seen by the Pharisees who held expert power as a fake person. This shows that some forms of knowledge like revelations and beliefs can be accepted as valid even though they might not be rooted in normal vocabulary or standard terminology. Such claims are often supported by supernatural occurrences, consensus, revelation, charisma and other things. That might not be acceptable in standard definitions. Vocabulary in the Information Age However, in the 21st Century where almost every form of knowledge is readily available over the Internet and through so many other electronic sources, can we continue to say that it is imperative to build ones vocabulary? I think that some areas like the social sciences, business and ethics can be studied by the click of the mouse. So it is not imperative for a person to get all the definitions of these fields to be considered knowledge. These knowledge are readily available on demand so it is not so important to take all the time to learn all the words and vocabulary. In this sense, vocabulary in these fields are just means of communication for people who live in these circles. And it is not imperative for vocabulary to be learnt by rote to become accepted into these areas of knowledge. All what a person needs is common sense and access to quick internet. On the other hand, the need for vocabulary expansion in the natural sciences cannot be substituted. This is because one needs technical knowledge to apply the tools and techniques of these areas. It is therefore important and imperative for people to build their vocabulary in these fields. Conclusion References Byrnes James & Wasik Brbara (2009) Language & Literacy Development: What Educators Need to Know Guilford Press. Handy, Charles (1976) Understanding Organizations Oxford University Press. Vocabulary (2010) Merriam-Webster Dictionary Available online at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocabulary Accessed: 1st January, 2012. Vocabulary (2011) Oxford Dictionary Online Available online at: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/vocabulary Accessed 1st January 2012. Read More