Lesson One –
The Science of Language
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
cognate
derivative
diminutive
inflection
orthography
6. paradigm
7. philology
8. phonology
9. rhetoric
10. syntax
1. cognate
Adj. Related by being derived, descended, or
borrowed from the same word or root.
Noun A word, word part, or language that is
related to another by common descent or
derivation.
Ex: The English word father and the Latin word
pater are cognate words.
2. derivative
Noun a. a word formed from another word or
root, such as by adding a prefix or suffix. b.
Something taken or received from a specified
source.
Adj Made up of elements that have been
borrowed from another source.
Related Words: derivation (noun); derive (verb)
Example: The words apparel and rampart are
both derivatives of a Latin word that means
“to equip.”
3. diminutive
Noun. A word formed by shortening or by adding
certain suffixes indicating primarily small size but
also youth, affection, or contempt.
Adj. a. relating or referring to a word, suffix or name
that is diminutive in form.
Related Words: diminution (noun); diminutively (adv).
Example: The names of many young animals, such as
duckling and owlet, are diminutives.
4. inflection
Noun a. the change in the form of words that indicated
a grammatical distinction, such as a number,
gender, case person, tense, mood or voice. b. a
word form of this kind. c. A change in the pitch or
tone of voice.
Related Words: inflect (verb), inflection (adj).
Example: The plural form of books is formed by the
inflection of the noun book, but the adjective bookish
and the noun booklet are not the same thing.
5. orthography
Noun The art or study of correct spelling
according to established usage.
Related Words: orthographic (adj);
orthographically (adv).
Example: The dictionary editors hire
orthographers to check the spellings before
publication. .
6. paradigm
Noun a. A list of all the inflectional forms of a
particular word. b. An example or model,
especially one that is typical or particularly
clear.
Example: The paradigm of the noun sheep
includes only two different forms, sheep and
sheep’s.
7. philology
noun a. the chronological study of language
development. b. the study of literature and
language as used in literature.
Related Words: philological (adj), philologist
(noun)
Example: Philology is regarded as the science
of language.
8. phonology
Noun The science of speech sounds in a
language.
Related Words: phonological (adj); philologist
(noun).
Example: The use of the articles a and an,
depending on the sound that follows, is
governed by a rule of English phonology.
9. rhetoric
Noun a. the art of using language effectively. b.
the study of the elements used in
composition or discourse. c. Insincere and
pretentious language.
Related words: rhetorical (adj); rhetorically
(adv)
Example: Students learn the grammar and
vocabulary of a language quickly, but
mastering its rhetoric takes time.
10. syntax
Noun The way in which words are arranged or
combined to form phrases, clauses and
sentences.
Related Words: syntactic (adj)
Example: The placement of an adjective
between the article and the noun is a rule of
English syntax.