Wonder of Words

.....

Children, we all know, begin learning by first associating words with objects.

Just recall how little babies start pointing out with their fingers, when you ask them to show, 'mommy', 'daddy' or even 'fan' or 'TV'. They do it because they are slowly learning the meanings of words. But these babies soon pick up amazing speed.

By their second and third year, they would have learnt a couple of hundreds of words.

By the time they are six, a thousand and odd words would be known to them. And since they would be going to school, they start absorbing even more words and their meanings. They may even begin learning words of another language.

Some psychologists have apparently found out that the learning of words is highest during childhood. And by the time one becomes an adult, he or she would know atleast know 25000 - 30000 words.

But strangely, the rate of learning of new words quickly decreases after that. Infact, it seems that some people do not even learn 10 new words an year!! Why?

This is mainly because we are no longer interested or curious about new words. We feel we know enough words to communicate. Or we are simply too busy to read and learn. Or we are simply lethargic.

So, dear friends, this attempt is to make us all look at the wonder of words. To become curious and interested about words, their origins, their roots, and their usage. I hope to make us all little students of words.

To learn in a fun way. A few words at a time.

I hope that by the 31st of December 2007, we would have added atleast 300 words to our vocabulary. [Ofcourse, not just mere words, but along with their correct meanings].

I hope to put together few words at a time, but you can comment and add and suggest as we go along.

I wish you all a Happy Journey, as we explore, discover and understand the wonder of words.

......