The Concept
of Vocabulary
a.
Definition
of Vocabulary
Ferreira (2007, p. 20) point out many
authors have similar definitions about
vocabulary. Vocabulary can be
defined as a
powerful carrier of
meaning and the knowledge of words and their meanings. This means
that without establishing
a strong vocabulary
base first, comprehension
and use of a
language will not be achieved. In addition, the student should be able to
recognize words, and know their meanings as well. Thus, when a student is
effectively able to recognize and use a word in different contexts, speak,
write, pronounce the word well, she/he has the knowledge and meaning of that
word.
Vocabulary can be defined as “the
words we must know to communicate effectively: words in speaking (expressive
vocabulary) and words in listening (receptive vocabulary)” an extensive body of
research exists on teaching and learning vocabulary.
Holmes (1918, p. 34) Vocabulary is
the words you have to know to read a story, secondary students might define
vocabulary as a list of words given by the teacher in order to comprehend a
given text. Vocabulary is stored information about the meanings and
pronunciations of words necessary for communication.
Foreign language vocabulary
knowledge is an increasingly important area in the field of Applied
Linguistics, Central to the investigation within foreign language vocabulary
knowledge is the distinction between productive and receptive vocabulary
knowledge types. Receptive vocabulary is understood as a passive skill which
involves the perception of a word and the understanding of its meaning in
listening and reading. Productive vocabulary refers to an active skill that
covers word production so as to match the speakers’ intention in writing and
speaking (Nation 2001, p. 5)
b.
The
importance of Vocabulary
Sedita (2005, p. 33-45) Vocabulary
is one of five core components of reading instruction that are essential to
successfully teach children how to read. These core components include phonemic
awareness, phonics and word study, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension Vocabulary
knowledge is important because it encompasses all the words we must know to
access our background knowledge, express our ideas and communicate effectively,
and learn about new concepts.
Vocabulary
is one of the important elements in building up English using this element,
someone can communicate, learning and thinking. Therefore, the learning of
vocabulary is fundamental need to support some learners to master English, because the
ability of students to read and to comprehend the subject is relatively
detemined by their vocabulary.
Ferreira (2007, p. 20) The knowledge
of word meanings
and the ability
to access that
knowledge efficiently are recognized as important factors in
reading and listening comprehension, speaking and writing fluency. Thus, vocabulary
knowledge helps students with language comprehension. Vocabulary
knowledge is the
heart of a
language comprehension and use. Comprehend a text
successfully students need
to have sufficient
word knowledge. This
is to say that the comprehension of
a language depends
on the amount
of words that
are known in
that language.
c.
Types
of Vocabulary
Vocabulary is an
essential component of language learning. As stated above vocabulary is the
words which have meanings and functions of a language being learned, thought or
used in daily conversation so that they become part of today's living language.
Learning English means
learn four language skills namely listening and reading as receptive skills
while writing and speaking as productive skills. That is why we classify
vocabulary into two types. They are receptive and productive vocabulary.
Receptive vocabulary refers to the words which can be recognized and
comprehended in the context of listening and reading, while productive
vocabulary refers to the words which we recall and use appropriately in writing
and speaking.
Vocabulary teaching and
learning is central to the theory and particle of ELT, words have a central
place in culture and many as the main task in learning another language is
learning words. Interest in vocabulary from researcher teachers and research is
likely continued to grow apace. The professional teacher active learning will
improve the teaching of vocabulary. The following questions are constantly asked
by teachers and students when teaching and learning vocabulary.
-
How many words provide a working
vocabulary in foreign language?
-
What are the best words to learn first?
-
Are some words more difficult to learn
than the others?
Harmer (1991, p. 159) divided
vocabulary into types as follows:
1) Active
vocabulary refers to words that students have learned which they expect to be
able to use.
2) Passive
vocabulary refers to the words which students will recognize when they meet
them but which they will probably not to be able to produce.
While Schail (1967) in
Rosmawati (2001, p. 1) states that every person has three types of vocabulary,
as follows:
1) Active.
These are words one customarily uses in speaking active vocabulary probably
runs from 5.000 to 10.000 words.
2) Reserve.
These are the words knows but rarely if ever use in ordinary speech one uses
them in writing a letter. When he has time to consider or when he is searching
for a synonym
3) Passive.
The words one recognizes vaguely but is not sure of the meanings. He never uses
them in either writing or speech.
