What Role can Etymologies play in Vocabulary Extension?
Channel: Chris Merck
Date: 2012-06-28

In response to Prof Arguelles' talk on Extensive Reading, I explain my method of learning words by origins and ask for comment on how word origins may play a role in language learning.

Of particular interest is the boost that multi-language etymological resources give to aspiring polyglots.

By the way, to anyone who would correct my French pronunciation: After reviewing this video I do notice that I have blatantly and repeatedly mispronounced "étincelle" (I used the "an" nasal instead of the "in" nasal in the second syllable.) I'm sorry for this, but I'm not going to re-record the video for that. Perhaps this points to a downside of learning vocabulary from reading (even when the language is (mostly) phonetic like French) -- it's easy to say words wrong to yourself and end up with a great vocabulary but deplorable pronunciation.