Here are a few common English words that are sometimes misused or misunderstood. Elegant - tasteful, graceful, comely, beautiful. It does not mean elaborate or ornate. An elegant solution is one that is ingeniously simple and completely solves the problem. The root meaning is carefully selected. Eloquence - fluent and effective use of language, persuasive speaking … Continue reading Useful words
words
What happens in the brain when we read?
If we are a fluent reader we have a massive number of words stored in the occipital lobe of the left brain, which takes just 1/6 of a second to recognize each word and we read smoothly and effortlessly. But that only happens if we have learned to read by recognizing the sound made by … Continue reading What happens in the brain when we read?
To better understand English, learn a little French
In its grammatical structure, English belongs to the Low German language family, a group of languages that developed from a common early Germanic root. The group includes Flemish, Dutch, Frisian, Afrikaans (the Dutch that is spoken in South Africa), Plautdietsch, English and Scots (not Gaelic but the variety of old English spoken by the lowland … Continue reading To better understand English, learn a little French
The Only Man with “All Power”
“All power Is given unto ME In Heaven and in earth.” These seem to me to be the most audacious, the most astonishing words that ever fell from the lips of man. We are told that the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw … Continue reading The Only Man with “All Power”
The genius of French
Yesterday's word from Mot du Jour, a French word of the day app, was adulescent. It is one letter short of adult, one vowel different from adolescent and describes a young adult who behaves like a teenager. Another word used in the description was quincados, which means people in their fifties who try to appear … Continue reading The genius of French
If you are a writer . . .
If you are a writer . . . - you love words, you study words, their origins and all the nuances of their meanings. You don’t aim to dazzle readers with the knowledge you acquire, you want to be able to select the best words to make your readers see what you are seeing. - … Continue reading If you are a writer . . .
Tidings of comfort and joy
These words, from the chorus of "God rest ye merry, Gentlemen," nicely sum up the intended impact of the birth of Jesus Christ. The angel who first appeared to the shepherds said, "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." After the shepherds had seen … Continue reading Tidings of comfort and joy
WORDS
Every heart that throbs must know Fountains sweet and bitter; Either we may cause to flow, By the words we utter. Idle words may pierce the deep Of the gentlest spirit, - Waking sorrow from its sleep, Treading roughly near it. Words of love may lull to rest Care, or grief, or anguish, - Rousing … Continue reading WORDS
Flatlander Faith 