10 ways to build your vocabulary in a foreign language
TRANSCRIPT
WAYS TO BUILD YOUR
VOCABULARY IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
10
Image © Chris-Håvard Berge | Flickr
While without grammar little can be conveyed, without vocabulary, nothing can be conveyed.
- David Wilkins, British linguist
“ ”
There is a long held assumption that grammar is more important than
vocabulary when learning a new language.
But linguistic research has demonstrated that vocabulary is actually more fundamental
than grammar. (Barcroft, 2004; Lewis, 2002; Wilkins, 1972)
Author Keith Folse knew the perfect Japanese structure to ask: “Excuse me, where is the ____?”
Author Keith Folse knew the perfect Japanese structure to ask: “Excuse me, where is the ____?”
What he didn’t know was the word for flour.
Image © David Pacey | Flickr
Author Keith Folse knew the perfect Japanese structure to ask: “Excuse me, where is the ____?”
What he didn’t know was the word for flour.
Image © David Pacey | Flickr
After consulting a Japanese friend for the translation, what he actually ended up
with was the word for flower.
Image © Swaminathan | Flickr
Sometimes, one word can make all the difference.
So, how can you build your vocabulary in a foreign language?
What resources do you
need?
What’s the best way to memorize it?
We have a few
suggestions!
Image © Jennifer Steen Booher | Flickr
Use Language-Learning Software 1
Language-learning software can be a
very effective vocabulary builder,
especially for beginners!
Image © Jeff Geerling | Flickr
Image © phip_s | Flickr
Put down the index cards.
Most software programs come with hundreds of common words and phrases, so you can spend less time making flashcards and spend more time actually learning.
If you’re in search of a program, sign up for a free trial of Transparent Language Online, which presents thousands of vocabulary words in a suite of interactive activities that will help you learn them quicker and retain them longer.
If you’re in search of a program, sign up for a free trial of Transparent Language Online, which presents thousands of vocabulary words in a suite of interactive activities that will help you learn them quicker and retain them longer. (Pitch over, we swear!)
Study Cognates & False Cognates 2
Chances are, you already know dozens (if not hundreds or more!) of words in your new language, but you just don’t realize it.
Chances are, you already know dozens (if not hundreds or more!) of words in your new language, but you just don’t realize it.
HOW?
Chances are, you already know dozens (if not hundreds or more!) of words in your new language, but you just don’t realize it.
HOW?
They’re called cognates.
Cognates are words with the same etymological origin, AKA they sound the same (or very similar) in both languages.
Image © Doblonaut | Flickr
Cognates are words with the same etymological origin, AKA they sound the same (or very similar) in both languages.
Recognize any words on this Spanish sign?
Image © Doblonaut | Flickr
Take time to memorize the cognates in the language you’re learning. A Google search for “[language]-English cognates” should lead you
in the right direction.
Beware, though! You should also search for and memorize false cognates, or words that sound the same but actually have
very different meanings.
Beware, though! You should also search for and memorize false cognates, or words that sound the same but actually have
very different meanings.
In Spanish, for example, embarazada does not mean embarrassed… it
means pregnant! Now that mix up could be embarrassing!
Image © clappstar | flickr
Study Synonym Pairs 3
Cognates are extremely easy to memorize. But if you’re beyond the beginner level, you probably
know most of them. What’s next?
Cognates are extremely easy to memorize. But if you’re beyond the beginner level, you probably
know most of them. What’s next?
Synonyms and antonyms!
Learning synonyms may seem like duplicated effort. If you know the word for
“funny,” you should be all set, right?
Image © Don LaVange | Flickr
Learning synonyms may seem like duplicated effort. If you know the word for
“funny,” you should be all set, right?
Image © Don LaVange | Flickr
But what if someone tells you: That was…
hilarious amusing
entertaining silly
hysterical ?
When you learn a new word, use a thesaurus to discover its synonyms. This practice will increase your understanding of the word and add variety
to your vocabulary.
Image © mrd00dman | Flickr
Study Prefixes & Suffixes 4
Another trick to significantly expand your vocabulary is to study common prefixes and
suffixes in the target language.
For example, if you know the Spanish prefix “con” (with) and the verb “vivir” (to live), deciphering the new verb “convivir” (to
live together) becomes a lot easier.
Image © Brent and Amanda I | Flickr
Each prefix and suffix you learn opens the door to hundreds of new words, yielding a huge return on your investment in your
vocabulary.
Read, Read, & Read Some More 5
The more you read, the more vocabulary you’ll be exposed to. Read actively, not passively, to
absorb as many new words as possible.
Image © Shutterhacks | Flickr
The more you read, the more vocabulary you’ll be exposed to. Read actively, not passively, to
absorb as many new words as possible.
Image © Shutterhacks | Flickr
Don’t rush.
The more you read, the more vocabulary you’ll be exposed to. Read actively, not passively, to
absorb as many new words as possible.
Image © Shutterhacks | Flickr
Don’t rush.
Highlight unfamiliar words and look them up in a dictionary.
The more you read, the more vocabulary you’ll be exposed to. Read actively, not passively, to
absorb as many new words as possible.
Image © Shutterhacks | Flickr
Don’t rush.
Highlight unfamiliar words and look them up in a dictionary.
Revisit the word in the context
of the sentence.
Read a variety of materials, from short stories and novels to newspapers and blogs, to acquire vocabulary at varying levels of difficulty and a wide range of topics.
Image © Ol.v!er[H2vPk] | Flickr
Separate your leisurely reading from your active, vocabulary-building reading.
Image © Chad Kainz | Flickr
Separate your leisurely reading from your active, vocabulary-building reading.
When reading to boost your vocab, limit yourself. Stick to just a few pages of a novel, one news story, one magazine article, etc. and really take your time.
Image © Chad Kainz | Flickr
Keep a Journal in the Target Language 6
Keeping a journal in your target language is the perfect way to find words you didn’t even know
that you didn’t know. (What a mouthful!)
Image © Walt Stoneburner | Flickr
Take a few minutes to write about your day. Want to mention something you did or experienced, but don’t know how? That’s probably a word you’ll want to know in the future, so look it up!
Image © Refracted Moments | Flickr
Image © photosteve101 | Flickr
Highlight the new words in each entry. At the end of the week, flip through your old entries and review
these new words to keep them fresh in your memory.
Investigate Word Origins 7
If you struggle less with finding new vocabulary and more with just remembering it, try your
hand at a little etymology!
Image © Trish Hartmann | Flickr
It may help to associate a new vocabulary word with its origins.
Image © William Warby | Flickr
For example, the English word “hippopotamus” is derived from the Greek words “ippos” (horse) and “potamas” (river).
It may help to associate a new vocabulary word with its origins.
Image © William Warby | Flickr
For example, the English word “hippopotamus” is derived from the Greek words “ippos” (horse) and “potamas” (river).
Associating “hippopotamus” with “river horse” gives you a strong visual, and may help you recall the word more easily.
Looking up the origins or literal meanings of words and expressions will paint a
mental picture that you can look back on, rather than just relying on rote
memorization.
Follow Native Speakers on Twitter 8
Looking for slang, idioms, informal expressions, abbreviations, and all of that
juicy stuff you’ll never find in a dictionary?
Looking for slang, idioms, informal expressions, abbreviations, and all of that
juicy stuff you’ll never find in a dictionary?
Check Twitter!
Follow politicians, athletes, musicians, actors, or everyday native speakers of your target language
and see what they’re saying.
Look up unfamiliar words, or expressions that don’t quite make sense.
Image © Adam Fagen | Flickr
For example, the
Portuguese expression “Escrevo
o que eu tô te falando.” literally
means “Write down what I’m telling
you.”
That’s a little strange, right? If you look it up, you’ll find
that it’s actually used to say “Mark
my words.”
Watching and interacting with native speakers on an informal
platform like Twitter will give your vocabulary a much-needed boost
in the colloquial department.
Learn a “Word of the Day” 9
Use a word-a-day calendar or online Word of the Day service to
learn one new word each day!
Transparent Language offers Word of the Day services in 25 different languages, so you can
discover a unique word each day!
Listen to Music 10
Similar to how exploring word origins helps you build vocabulary by providing strong mental images, listening to music gives you something
memorable to associate with a new word.
Have you ever noticed your brain’s seemingly endless capacity for song lyrics? Think of how many
songs you have memorized in there!
Image © Roadsidepictures | Flickr
Search YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, last.fm, etc. for music you enjoy in your target language
and look up the lyrics.
Image © eldeeem | Flickr
Pick one song at a time, and look up all of the unfamiliar vocabulary in the lyrics. With
enough listens, those new words and phrases will be engrained in your mind, just like
your favorite songs in your native language.
Vocabulary building should be a goal for language learners of all levels.
The greater your vocabulary in a language, the better you will understand others and
express yourself.
Use these tips to get started, and never stop acquiring new vocabulary!
Ready to build your vocabulary?
Sign up for a free trial of Transparent Language Online and learn thousands of new vocabulary words and phrases in 100+ languages!
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