Vocabulary Definition
Vocabulary definition is “the group and collection of words that are known and used by a particular person”. It can also be defined as “a list or collection of words or phrases that are normally alphabetically arranged and defined or explained”.
Vocabulary is also commonly called wordstock, lexis, and lexicon.
Importance of Vocabulary
*Vocabulary is an essential part of anyone’s life and the following points describe the importance of vocabulary.
*Vocabulary is critical for communication and expression
*Vocabulary forms the basis of reading comprehension
*Linguistic vocabulary and thinking vocabulary work parallel
*Vocabulary also forms a basis for judgment many times
Types of Vocabulary
The types of vocabulary can be categorized based on spoken and written vocabulary. Children start vocabulary-building through listening and speaking even before writing and reading. Every type of vocabulary has a different aim and purpose. However, the development of one type of vocabulary facilitates another.
The types of vocabulary are discussed below briefly.
1. Listening Vocabulary
Listening vocabulary comprises words that we understand through hearing. A fetus may start recognizing some words when in the womb. Learning new words is a continuous process, and by the time you reach adulthood, almost fifty thousand words are understood and recognized by you. Deaf people can be exposed to visual listening vocabulary for learning.
2. Speaking Vocabulary
Speaking vocabulary consists of words that we actually speak. It has a horizon of around 5000 to 10000 words. These are used for giving instructions and conversations. The number of words in this category are comparatively lesser than the listening vocabulary.
3. Reading Vocabulary
The major ingredient of vocabulary building is reading. Reading grows and develops your vocabulary. The words we get to learn while reading a text are termed as reading vocabulary. It may happen that we understand words through reading vocabulary even if we don’t use it in speaking vocabulary.
4. Writing Vocabulary
Words we recoup while expressing ourselves through writing are termed as writing vocabulary. Writing vocabulary is normally influenced by the words we are able to spell. We find it easy to express verbally, through facial expression, or intonation, but writing vocabulary depends upon our expertise in vocabulary.
5. Final Vocabulary
Richard Rorty discovered this term ‘Final Vocabulary’. It is a collection, set, or group of words that every person applies for justifying their actions, beliefs, and lives. Final vocabulary comprises words a person avails to praise, contempt, express deep feelings, hopes, doubts, etc.