by Linda O. Johnston
Some of my fellow Writers in Residence inspired me to write this post by mentioning, in past weeks, their enjoyment of, and working with, words–most especially Miko Johnston, who wrote “Wordplay,” and Jill Amadio, who wrote “You Say Potatoe…” I always enjoy our posts here, but those two really jostled a lot in my mind.
Why? I love words! I always have, from the time I was a very young kid, and still do. Reading, spelling, grammar in grade school? Wonderful!
Miko described her fascination with words and their origins and imagery and sounds and more. Jill focused somewhat on the differences between the U.S. and U.K. versions of the same words and their spelling and uses in grammar.
And me, here? Well, let’s just say I do all I can with words in different schemes and environments. Yes, I write. I’ve always written, since I was a child, but I do a lot more now. My undergraduate college degree was in journalism, and I worked in advertising and public relations before becoming an attorney–and a published novelist. They all involved words!
Besides writing these days, I also do a lot with word puzzles, especially crosswords, cryptograms and acrostics. It keeps me fresh with the words I use as well as learning how others can play games with them, literally. Yes, I sometimes check the answers if I don’t otherwise figure them out, since it’s a good method to learn not only words but different and sometimes strange usages–although I’d much rather figure them out myself.
I find it interesting that I sometimes also have to figure out what recent slang and other words mean, even though many used to come to me just by hearing them and their usage. For example, I had to look up what the current usage of “woke” means. Yes, I had to become woke in its usage!
My own vocabulary was helped over the years by the fact I used to be fairly literate in the French language after studying it for over ten years as a kid. I rarely use it now, though I can often read French, but I don’t always understand when people speak it in my presence unless…they…speak…slowly. Yes, lack of usage has slowed me down, although I can always come up with a sentence in French, probably an elementary one. And if I see French words on a page, I can often translate them.
Plus, over the years I’ve learned some Spanish words, too. And after spending a significant amount of time in Germany years ago, I can sometimes recognize German words as well.
So… Yes, words and I are good friends. Buddies, chums, mates and more. Amies et amigos und Freunden. Guess I’ll keep talking and reading and listening and solving puzzles…and hope to learn even more words.
The Writers in Residence 
Linda, a cornucopia of languages! I often wonder if our knowledge of other ‘tongues’ other than English color our writing, and you have raised a good question. I wonder if we’d enjoy books and poems, indeed all forms of writing, differently if we understood them in their original form and rhythm?
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I always wish I knew even more languages, including how others write in them, but I have fun with what I’ve got!
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I’m adding a third book this year to go along with the two I already published about writing. It’s called: Words, Words, Words. No matter what profession, career, odd job or social connections we might be engaged in, we all use words and how they are used can make all the difference in our world. Write On!
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I’ll look forward to a book about Words, Words, Words, Gayle! And I certainly do intend to write on!
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Ohhh, Gaye, I’m looking forward to your new book!
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In school, I enjoyed spelling bees and those lists of vocabulary words. I still remember vapid and truculent! Reading has always been a wonderful way to learn new words. I studied Spanish in high school, but can’t say I retained any proficiency beyond certain words and phrases. Sadly, many readers don’t like to stumble on words they don’t know.
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Oh, yes, spelling bees, Maggie. I tended to do well in them. And I hope readers will read on even if they’re not wild about new words.
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I like new words in the books I’m reading (not too many at a time, however). I usually try to figure out the meaning in the text, but will often check the dictionary.
As for other languages, I’m reading on a website/app that teaches a language by inserting other language words into familiar text. I’m reading now a Hercule Poirot mystery with Spanish words replacing some English words. I’m caught momentarily, but if needed you can hover over the word and see the English one. The more that word is used, the more I get used to seeing it and the meaning. It’s cool. And you can adjust the level of foreign words put into a story! The App is – Prismatext (Prismatext.com). “Read a book; learn a language”
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Prismatext sounds very cool. Thanks, Jackie.
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Miko here. I’ve often said writers work with rules and tools. Words are among the most valuable tools in our toolbox, for when we use the right one for the job, we get the best results. Great post, Linda.
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My husband has a lot of tools for making and fixing physical items, but I definitely love using words as my ongoing and increasing tools. Thanks, Miko!
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Very enjoyable post, Linda, in that I went to schools that insisted I took Latin for about eight years. Consequentially often see “latinated” words in English. Funny though, lousy reading or speaking Spanish or French! Also do crosswords on a daily basis supposedly to keep my brain functioning, ha! haven’t noticed any improvement, but enjoy just the same.
And using words is sooo key to our writing…thoughtful post sending me down memory lane… Thank you…
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A lot of our words are supposedly rooted in Latin so having studied it in the past might have helped you with vocabulary then. And as for crosswords, doing them can’t hurt!
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Both your blog post, Linda, and Gayle’s upcoming book remind me of Henry Higgins and MY FAIR LADY, when Eliza sings “Words! Words! Words! I’m so sick of words! I get words all day through; First from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?” Of course she was wanting him to “SHOW” her his love. Oh, hey…. writers need to do that WITH our words. Show not tell. haha.
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I’m familiar with the words of that song, but just don’t get how anyone can be sick of words! Oh, I get it. It made sense in the song. But we writers need to love our words and use them well!
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This is such a great post Linda. I loved spelling at school – I was good at it – unlike math and science where I was hopeless. I still use my Roget Thesaurus and The Synonym Finder – both large volumes – but somehow I enjoy leafing through those to find the perfect word rather than jumping onto the computer. I also have The Pitman Shorthand dictionary – all squiggles and lines – another kind of language …. and one which is perfect for writing a secret diary!
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Thanks, Hannah! I still have my thesaurus but admit to jumping onto the computer to attempt to find many possibilities when I’m seeking synonyms. And I never learned shorthand, but I do use my own version of a kind of abbreviated writing I learned as a kid.
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Hannah, I now wish I’d learned shorthand. (It was a big accomplishment for me to learn to type!!) I love a Thesaurus, and both a Synonym and Antonym finders. I’m so happy English has so many words! I studied Hebrew for a few years, and you can completely get around Israel with a vocabulary of 1000 words. Think of that! Of course ancient Hebrew had so many nuances and secondary meanings that it was probably just as colorful as ours.
But I digress… Oh yes, secret diaries. I heard Sheila Lowe say that because cursive writing is going so out of style, soon grand and great grandparents will have a “secret language.” Ha!
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