Why Learn Word Roots?
From humble roots, mighty words are formed
If you ever complained that learning all or even most of the words in the English language was impossible, you were right—and not just because the language evolves and assimilates new words every year. Merriam-Webster Dictionary estimates that the English language may consist of anywhere from 750,000 to 1 million words, though that count includes even the most highly specialized and technical terms as well as words that have lapsed into obsolescence. The leading English lexicons pare that number down to anywhere from 200,000 to 450,000 words and word forms, give or take several tens of thousands. But you probably don't need to know anywhere near that many words.
The average English speaker knows approximately 20,000-40,000 words and may actively use only 50%—or as little as 10%—of that number. We don't need an extensive vocabulary to manage the basic necessities of life. To learn, grow, communicate, create, and express ourselves while understanding life's complexities, however, requires a much broader and deeper mastery of the language.
WHAT MAKES ROOTS SO POWERFUL?
If you haven't worked with Roots2Words before, you may not realize just how many of the words you--not to mention the professionals in just about every skill, trade, arts, and science--use in a given day are derived from classical roots. The authorities at Dictionary.com estimated that roughly 80% of English dictionary entries are borrowed from or based on other languages. Many English words were adapted directly from Latin, which also means many derived directly or indirectly from Greek. In fact, over 60% of all English words—and up to 90% of scientific or technical terminology—come from Greek or Latin roots. Learn the roots and you learn the base code for the bulk of the English language.
HOW DO WORD ROOTS WORK?
Look at word roots kind of like Lego. You can snap blocks together to create new words, then unsnap them to add to different blocks. Learn to work with the three different kinds of word roots:
A prefix is an affix attached to the beginning of a word or base to create a derivative word.
A base is a vocabulary component that conveys the same meaning in multiple words.
A suffix is an affix attached to the end of a word or base to create a derivative word, change number, and/or change one part of speech to another.
Basically, prefixes, bases, and suffixes combine to create new words with predictable meanings. For a simple example of how this process works, consider the following three words. Use roots to decode each of the following words based on the root FIC- meaning to make or do. What do you think each one means?
ARTIFICE: ART- (skill or craft) + FIC- (make or do)
BENEFICIARY: BEN- (good) + FIC- (make or do) + -IARY (connected with)
RAMIFICATION: RAM- (branch) + FIC- (make or do) + -ATION (action)
Now click on the links to find out how accurate your prediction was. Notice how each word has very different yet logical meanings based on their combined roots. Note as well that innumerable English words are derived from the root FIC- and its variants. Once you learn to look for this root, you become much more likely to understand those words, even if you've never seen them before.
ARE WORD ROOTS ENOUGH?
Word roots are definitely not the first or only way learners should strive to improve their practical vocabularies. Immersing yourself in a language and intentionally seeking to expand your fluency from basic to advanced levels unlocks not just words but full phrases and idiomatic expressions that belie basic definitions.
Active language acquisition makes perfect sense for those learning new languages, but how can current English speakers upgrade their eloquence?
READ.
Obviously, reading is fundamental in understanding words, phrases, ideas, and everything else that makes up the world. However, if you’re trying to actively expand your personal lexicon, you should follow three specific steps when you read. Combine this organic approach to vocabulary development with the focused power of unlocking the base code of the English language and the ability to understand, articulate, and excel in any setting will be yours!
“Cultivate the root; the leaves and branches will take care of themselves.” —Confucius