Alta Wehmeyer

When I talk to parents of prospective students or the learners themselves, they are most often not aware that approximately two-thirds of the English language consist of words that are derived from either Latin or Greek. The argument for studiousness in such activity is compelling.

Not knowing roots words can best be equated to walking in a forest shrouded in dense fog. You know there is beauty all around you, but you cannot fully appreciate it. Unless the fog dissipates the splendor of nature remains obscured. Think of root word study in exactly the same way. Being able to use words effectively impacts all forms of communication directly. Unambiguous discourse is the ultimate goal!

Being able to unravel meaning is paramount to understanding. Have you ever wondered how is it possible that participants in the Scripps Spelling Bee can clearly not know what a word means, yet they can spell it perfectly? It is by knowing their roots and affixes! Studying Latin and Greek roots are considered the holy grail of vocabulary. I dare you to study only one level available here and experience how the fog can lift and vanish. You owe this to yourself!

Alta

June 16, 2023