roots of language: foundations of english english 2
TRANSCRIPT
Roots of Language: Foundations of English
English 2
Roots of Language
What? You will learn word-parts How? Weekly lessons on roots, prefixes, or
suffixes Why? These word-parts are the essential
parts of words. Knowing them helps you to understand new words.
Word-Parts
Roots
Prefix
Suffix
Could be anywhere in the word Manage, emancipate hand
Beginning of the word Rewind, return, respond again
End of word Bigger, smaller, smarter more
You need…
RAW Book – Roots Section Pencil
Directions
Take notes! Write the definition of the root Write 2 example words
PreAP: you must learn the SAT / ACT Challenge Words.
Auto (Greek)
Definition: Self
Example Word: Autocrat – one person with complete authority
Other examples? Automobile, automatic
Biblio (Greek)
Definition: Book
Example Words: Bibliography – a list of written works used as sources
Other examples? bibliophile
Dic, dict (Latin)
Definition: Speak
Example Words: Dictate - to speak or read for a person to translate
Other examples? Dictionary, diction, edict, predict, contradict SAT / ACT Challenge Word: dictum (noun) 1) an
announcement from an authoritative source 2) a statement that expresses a general truth or principle
Graph (Greek)
Definition: Write
Example Words: Autograph - a signature written with one’s own hand
Other examples? Graphic, photograph, graphite
Lang, ling (Latin)
Definition: tongue
Example words: linguist - a person skilled in languages
Other words? language, bilingual
Leg, lec, lex (Latin – Legere, Greek – Lexis) Definition: Read, speak
Example Words: Legible = Readable Lecture = A speech delivered for instruction
Other examples? lexicon
Lit (Latin)
Definition: letter
Example Words: literature - writings in which expression and form are essential features
Other examples? Literate, literacy
Man (Latin)
Definition: Hand
Example Word: manuscript - the original text of an author’s work (handwritten or typed)
Other examples? manacles, manager SAT/ACT Challenge Word: emancipate (verb)
to free from restraint, control, or power of another
Mem (Latin)
Definition: Remember
Example Word: Memento = Something that serves as a reminder; souvenir
Other examples? Memory, memorize, memorial SAT/ACT Challenge Word: immemorial (adj)
old or ancient; from a time so long ago it cannot be remembered
Sci (Latin)
Definition: know
Example Word: omniscient = having complete or unlimited knowledge
Other examples? Conscious, conscience SAT/ACT Challenge Word: omniscient (adj)
all-knowing; having unlimited understanding
Scrib, scrip (Latin)
Definition: Write
Example Word: Inscribe = To write, engrave, or print as a lasting record
Other examples? Transcribe, prescribe, prescription, scribble
SAT / ACT Challenge Word: ascribe (verb) to attribute to a source, cause, or author
Read (Germanic – raed)
Definition: counsel, advise, interpret
Example Word: readability = the ease with which a text can be read
Other examples? Reader, read
ETYMOLOGY of the word READ Etymo = true meaning logos = word The root “read” doesn’t actually
appear in that many English words, but the history (or etymology) of the word is interesting to consider.
ETYMOLOGY of the word READ In many languages, the word for reading comes
from the Latin word legere, which originally had to do with “gathering up” or “collecting” meaning. Consider these words in other languages:
Leer = “to read” in Spanish Lire = “to read” in French Leggere = “to read” in Italian Lesen = “to read” in German
ETYMOLOGY of the word READ In English, we use words like “legible” and
“lexicon,” but when it comes to the act of READING, our word is rooted in the idea of counsel – almost a conversation between the author and the reader.
In addition to “gathering up” details to make sense of letters and words, your job in this class is to INTERPRET meaning.
Done!
Study these words.
You will have a quiz 9/18A, 19B. The quiz is a Level 1 grade.
Want five bonus points? Make flash cards and bring them on quiz day. They must be completed before class.
What will the quiz be like?
You will need to… Know the roots and their definitions Determine the correct definition for a word using
your knowledge of the root Write words that contain the roots and write
definitions for those words