Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 28

CONSULT YOUR DICTIONARY!

A word fitly spoken, how good it is! compared by Solomon to apples of gold in pictures of silver. Certainly a very high value to place upon language, but the qualifying phrase "fitly spoken" limits the application of the figure of speech to words spoken with the object in mind of glorifying God and edifying the listeners. Will the dictionary used in conjunction with God's Word, the Bible, aid us to so fulfill our ministry? Can we by diligent preparation of our language with the help of the dictionary be able to bring forth words fitly spoken, in season, good words, golden words to the honor of Jehovah? The answer is Yes.

The Scriptures clearly prove that the power of speech lies not in the use of many words, nor does it come from the exercise of long, high-sounding jawbreakers, or the fanciful, polished stock phraseology of the religious colleges and other so-called "seats of learning" of this world. Wherein then comes that force, that color and absolute undeniableness necessary to right speaking? and how will the dictionary assist in this direction? Actually, words are pictures, stable metaphors, and the more intimately we know the precise meaning and proper usage of each word we utter, to that degree our language will take on color, variety and effectiveness. To most people a dictionary is something to

be hurriedly glanced into when an unfamiliar word is encountered, just to learn what the word means. Having thus obtained a sketchy idea of its actual value, off they go and use the word on some unhappy occasion with disastrous results. There is much more to a word than a mere superficial knowledge of its meaning.

The word "dictionary" comes from the Latin root dictio, a word. Therefore it is actually a word book. It is a lexicon, from the Greek root word lexikos (of or pertaining to words). It is an alphabetically listed vocabulary with definitions; a work of reference, in which the words of a language are listed with their meaning, spelling, variation, etymology, and pronunciation. The most useful dictionaries, of course, are the unabridged, because therein is found the complete and exhaustive treatment of a word, so necessary to the careful student in gaining the whole meaning of language.

To write, or even read, one must know how to spell. So the dictionary deals with this feature, known as orthography. The complexities of English spelling are many, and distressing to users of the language. The dictionary will show the correct spelling. It goes even farther, giving many helpful rules on spelling in its introductory material.

Syllabication is the next step dealt with in the treatment of a word. This is the division of a word into its various sound parts. Each syllable is that part of a word that can be uttered by a single effort of the voice. Therefore words are thus divided to facilitate their utterance. A knowledge of syllabication is very essential in the proper enunciation and writing of the language; so full use of its treatment in the dictionary is advised.

Next, and very important, comes the explanation of pronunciation. There is hardly anything that will discredit a speaker in the eyes of his audience more than mispronunciation. A speaker may be moving along with a fine choice of words and with much enthusiasm and feeling; then he

brings forth some wrongly pronounced words and the entire effect of the speech is marred. His message will have lost authority. The dictionary is invaluable in setting the standard and accepted pronunciation of a word. By all means learn the correct pronunciation and use only words of which you are sure. One may feel that he knows the correct pronunciation, but in the use of even the common, ordinary words many pitfalls occur. For instance, is it im'pious or impi'ous, prefer'able, or preferable, for'midable or formid'able? By examining such words and learning their entire meaning one will be familiar enough with them to us them correctly. Often a word when used as one part of speech will be pronounced one way but when used as another it will have a different pronunciation. Thus with perfume; when it is a noun, the name of a pleasant scent or odor, it is per'fume. When it is used as a verb it is per-fume': the incense was used to per-fume' the room.

This brings forcefully to mind the need of knowing the various parts of speech and their right use. The dictionary gives the part (or parts) of speech to which each word belongs; and correct knowledge of this feature is extremely necessary to the Theocratic minister. He should learn this fundamental of grammar, and be able to classify any word as to part of speech to which it belongs. This makes him sure of its use, and dispels fear of incorrect utterance.

Inflectional changes next appear for consideration. This too is of much concern to the learner. A word often goes through much change in spelling to indicate distinctions of case, gender, number, tense, etc. There seems to be no definite rule governing these inflections. Hence there is great need for careful use of the dictionary in this connection, in following it as a guide for proper usage of words in their inflectional changes.

Now comes the subject of etymology. This is in itself a fascinating study. Nothing so much enriches the understanding of a word and its use as does a definite knowledge of its origin and development. The etymology of

the word "dictionary" as given in this lesson serves as an illustration of this. Through looking into the origin of words, one can also trace the effect and influence of other languages upon his own.

Of course, the definition of a word is of utmost value. To be effective, words must be "fitly spoken", used in their proper setting. The dictionaries of the world, in their definitions of some words, have been tampered with by God's enemies. So one has to be on the watch for these cases, and see that the definitions conform to the Scriptures. An example in point is the word "religion". However, the great majority of word definitions in dictionaries are reliable.

To further avoid monotony in speech and writing, a knowledge of synonyms and antonyms is needed. Thus a house becomes a home, a dwelling, a domicile, an abode, a residence, a habitation, etc. If one wants contrast he uses antonyms. So doing, not only does he avoid monotony, but his language takes on color and power.

Two other features contained in the larger dictionaries and which will prove helpful are word abbreviations and the giving of foreign words or expressions commonly used. Some dictionaries run these features in the main body of the work, whereas others list them in sections toward the back of the book.

Use the dictionary freely. The dictionary may be used, not necessarily to accumulate many words, but to make clear the meaning and use of words needed daily in gospel-preaching. Words are thought-carriers; gracious and fitly-spoken ones are required to convey adequately to others the glorious Kingdom message.