 |
| ![]() |
![]() |
| |
|
Mind connections
Sebastian, 2004/06/30 Wed, 5:07 pm
 Every single word is related to some extent to feelings, experiences in your past and other words, including those of other languages. You can remember and recall words much better if you make as many connections as possible.
The more time you spend just thinking about the new word, the better you remember it. So, there you have the word to remember in front of you, but what exactly should you think about?
Analize the word
Does it have the same root as other words you already know? What language do you think it originates from? Do you know a similar word in a different language? Does the word have a prefix or a suffix? Is it a compound? If so, what do its parts mean? Does the combination seem logical to you?
So, first you take the word apart and look for connections in other words and languages. This is not only useful because you'll remember this particular word better, but also you'll know more about its "neighborhood". New words don't appear out of the blue, you probably see them in context, in which you'll find some other words you've already discovered in connection with the first word.
Similar meaning
Next try to find words or expressions with similar or the same meaning. Think about what you already know and search for other related words. Are there slight differences? If so, in what situation should you use them? Is there a formal or informal version of the word? Is there another word in the same language that is originally from this one? Is there a version especially for males, females or children? Is there a slang version of the word?
Though you spend more time finding the relations, you save time in the future as you read on. You'll see that in a text the author tries to avoid repetitions and will use words with similar meanings. But since you are already prepared, you will know what they mean. And finding the words again and again as you continuously recognize them is what makes you truly remember them.
Your feeling
How do you feel when you see or say the word? What sounds does it contain? Are they soft or hard? Short or long? Does it cause any difficulties to pronounce the word? If so, have you had the same problem before? Was there an event in your life that you can describe using this word? Can you describe it? Do you like the word? Do you like the intonation or the sounds in the word? Do you like the shape how it's written?
It's no secret, if you can make an emotional connection to anything, be it good or bad, you remember it better. That's what commercials build on. It doesn't matter whether the emotion is good or bad, you'll remember it. Anything that's not usual stays longer in your head. So, make an emotional connection as often as you can.
The Bridge
If nothing else helps, there is still something useful. If you fail to compare the word to anything with the same meaning, you can force a connection with a totally unrelated word. Whatever the meaning of that other word is. This is what we could call a bridge. You only need a real bridge until you are on the other side of the river. In this case, too, you only need the unrelated "bridge" word until you can use the target word properly. The bridge can be anything you can imagine.
Let me give you an example: When I started studying Japanese there was a word that was difficult to remember. It was the word "corn", in Japanese "tōmorokoshi". I couldn't find any other word that could help remembering the order to-mo-ro-ko, I always mixed it up. Then I found the word that helped. It was the English "tomorrow". No relation in the classical sense, but afterwards I never mixed up the order. |
|
|
|
|
|
Log in or register to comment on the article.
|
All times are GMT + 1 Hour
You cannot post articles in this chapter
You cannot edit your articles in this chapter
You cannot delete your articles in this chapter
You cannot rate articles in this chapter
You cannot approve articles in this chapter
|
|
Powered by phpBB
© 2001, 2005 phpBB Group :
All times are GMT + 1 Hour
| |