New Vocab

[pen_grunt]

My niece is at the age where, whenever you say something that she doesn't understand (because no one in our family simplifies or talks down for her), she asks, "What does that word mean?" or "What does X mean?"

I am totally digging this new stage in life, because it makes me re-think my everyday language. It's hard to explain a word that one takes for granted everyday. Especially when one is being sarcastic. For instance, I said, "This is *technically* the border of the park," as she was "making" me give her a piggyback ride all the way to the park.

"What does 'technically' mean?" Pops out of her little mouth--and I don't exactly know how to explain it in the context.

So one finds themselves being a human thesaurus--thinking up synonyms to fit the definition and to help her understand. It's a great challenge, and it's terribly rewarding to hear her synthesize and utilize words that she just learned moments ago. Kids at that age are such linguistic sponges, it's remarkable.

Comments

[llythefaerye.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! So - how did you explain it?

[pen-grunt.livejournal.com]

Hmm...I don't remember exactly. I think I explained it in the context of the park--and while the grass might be considered the park "technically" the park really didn't start till the playground equipment. I think I said it was a kind of measurement. . .

That's a really tough one, surprisingly.

[llythefaerye.livejournal.com]

Nicely done!