Constructing Meaning

From Unknown WordsBy: Taylor Dickerson

Fdecomat, Doyle Alphabet, Feb 17,2007 via Flikr, Attribution License

Understanding Phonetics

Phonetics: The speech sound used in English

Knowing the letters that sounds correspond to

Sounding out letters in Alphabet

Letter-sound recognition in words

Examples of Phonetics

• Objective: Sound out the word “Apple”

Step 1: Familiarize with the letters used

Step 2: Sound out each letter individually

Step 3: Try saying the word by putting all sounds together

Tool for sounding out the alphabet:

• http://genkienglish.net/phonics.htm

Muffet, Apples, Oct. 7, 2007 via Flikr, Attribution License

Why Do You Need Phonetics?

• To Recognize that sounds and letters have relationships

• For reading comprehension

• For writing skills/comprehension

• For future job opportunities

Identifying Words and Word Meanings

•There are 3 important forms:

1.Heterograph

2. Heteronym

3. Synonym

Enokson, Alpahbet, May 2o, 2010 via Flikr, Attribution Liscense

Homographs

• Two words that have…

Different meaning

Same Spelling

Same/ different pronunciation

Example of Homograph

• The word “Tie”

Can mean…

To Tie Your Shoes Neck Ties

Marcel van Schooten, New Pair of Shoes, Sept. 28, 2008 via Flikr, Attribution License.

Steven Depolo, Neck Ties Colorful, Feb. 4, 2009 via Flikr, Attribution License.

OR

Heteronyms

• Two words that have…

Different pronunciation

Different meaning

Same spelling

Example of Heteronym

• The word “dessert”

Can mean…

Dessert

The Dessert

Wee Lakeo, Ice Cream Horror, Aug. 31, 2009 via Flikr, Attribution License.

OR

Mike Baird, Cacti, March 24, 2009 via Flikr, Attribution License.

Synonyms

• Two words that have…

Different Spelling

Similar Meaning

Identical Meaning

Examples of Synonyms

• The words “stinky” and “smelly”

Natalie Maynor, Fake Garbage, April 6 2010 via Flikr, Attribution License.

Garbage is both Stinky and Smelly!

How Are These Terms Useful You Ask?

• Heterographs, Heteronyms and Synonyms are useful for…

Recognizing word meaning

Recognizing the difference between words

Enhancing reading comprehension

Using Semantics

• Identifying the meaning of words through…

Picture clues

Symbols

Ruby Goes, Redhat, April 19, 2009 via Flikr, Attribution License.

How to Use Picture Clues

① Read the text or passage thoroughly

② Identify what is unknown to you

③ Look over the picture provided

④ Relate picture to the text

⑤ Conclude what text is about

Picture Clue Example

The boy is going to kick the ball.

D. Sharon Pruitt, Boy and Beach Ball, April 30, 2010 via Flikr, Attribution License.

If You Have Any Questions Please Ask!

If you have a general understanding of the previous terms, then you will have a better understanding of the English Language