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==Origin==

==Origin==

Listed in order of most ample to most limited:[3][4]

Listed in order of most ample to most limited:[3][4]

*''Reading vocabulary''

*''Reading vocabulary''

A person's reading vocabulary is all the words he or she can recognize when reading. This is the largest type of vocabulary simply because it includes the other three.

A [[person]]'s reading vocabulary is all the [[words]] he or she can [[recognize]] when [[reading]]. This is the largest type of vocabulary simply because it includes the other three.

*''Listening vocabulary''

*''Listening vocabulary''

A person's listening vocabulary is all the words he or she can recognize when listening to speech. This vocabulary is aided in size by context and tone of voice.

A person's [[listening]] vocabulary is all the words he or she can recognize when listening to [[speech]]. This vocabulary is aided in size by [[context]] and [[tone]] of [[voice]].

*''Writing vocabulary''

*''Writing vocabulary''

A person's writing vocabulary is all the words he or she can employ in writing. Contrary to the previous two vocabulary types, the writing vocabulary is stimulated by its user.

A [[person]]'s [[writing]] vocabulary is all the [[words]] he or she can employ in [[writing]]. Contrary to the previous two vocabulary [[types]], the [[writing]] vocabulary is [[stimulated]] by its user.

*''Speaking vocabulary''

*''Speaking vocabulary''

A person's speaking vocabulary is all the words he or she can use in speech. Due to the spontaneous nature of the speaking vocabulary, words are often misused. This misuse – though slight and unintentional – may be compensated by facial expressions, tone of voice, or hand gestures.

A person's speaking vocabulary is all the [[words]] he or she can use in [[speech]]. Due to the [[spontaneous]] nature of the speaking vocabulary, [[words]] are often misused. This misuse – though slight and unintentional – may be [[compensated]] by facial [[expressions]], [[tone]] of [[voice]], or hand [[gestures]].

==Focal vocabulary==

==Focal vocabulary==

"Focal vocabulary" is a specialized set of terms and distinctions that is particularly important to a certain group; those with a particular focus of experience or activity. A lexicon, or vocabulary, is a language's dictionary, its set of names for things, events, and ideas. Some linguists believe that lexicon influences people's perception on things, the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis. For example, the Nuer of Sudan have an elaborate vocabulary to describe cattle. The Nuer have dozens of names for cattle because of the cattle's particular histories, economies, and environments. This kind of comparison has elicited some linguistic controversy, as with the number of "Eskimo words for snow". English speakers can also elaborate their snow and cattle vocabularies when the need arises.

"Focal vocabulary" is a specialized set of terms and distinctions that is particularly important to a certain [[group]]; those with a particular [[focus]] of [[experience]] or [[activity]]. A lexicon, or vocabulary, is a language's dictionary, its set of [[names]] for [[things]], [[events]], and [[ideas]]. Some linguists believe that lexicon [[influences]] people's [[perception]] on [[things]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapir%E2%80%93Whorf_hypothesis Sapir–Whorf hypothesis]. For example, the Nuer of Sudan have an elaborate vocabulary to describe cattle. The Nuer have dozens of names for cattle because of the cattle's particular [[histories]], [[economies]], and [[environments]]. This kind of comparison has elicited some linguistic [[controversy]], as with the number of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eskimo_words_for_snow Eskimo words for snow]". English speakers can also elaborate their snow and cattle vocabularies when the need arises.

==Vocabulary growth==

==Vocabulary growth==

Initially, in the infancy phase, vocabulary growth requires no effort. Infants hear words and mimic them, eventually associating them with objects and actions. This is the listening vocabulary. The speaking vocabulary follows, as a child's thoughts become more reliant on its ability to express itself without gestures and mere sounds. Once the reading and writing vocabularies are attained – through questions and education – the anomalies and irregularities of language can be discovered.

Initially, in the infancy [[phase]], vocabulary [[growth]] requires no [[effort]]. Infants hear [[words]] and mimic them, eventually [[associating]] them with objects and [[actions]]. This is the listening vocabulary. The speaking vocabulary follows, as a [[child]]'s [[thoughts]] become more reliant on its [[ability]] to [[express]] itself without [[gestures]] and mere [[sounds]]. Once the [[reading]] and [[writing]] vocabularies are [[attained]] – through questions and [[education]] – the [[anomalies]] and irregularities of [[language]] can be discovered.

In first grade, an advantaged student (i.e. a literate student) knows about twice as many words as a disadvantaged student. Generally, this gap does not tighten. This translates into a wide range of vocabulary size by age five or six, at which time an English-speaking child will know about 2,500–5,000 words. An average student learns some 3,000 words per year, or approximately eight words per day.[7]

In first grade, an advantaged student (i.e. a literate student) knows about twice as many [[words]] as a disadvantaged student. Generally, this gap does not tighten. This translates into a wide range of vocabulary size by age five or six, at which time an [[English]]-speaking child will know about 2,500–5,000 words. An average student learns some 3,000 words per year, or approximately eight words per day.

After leaving school, vocabulary growth reaches a plateau. People may then expand their vocabularies by engaging in activities such as reading, playing word games, and participating in vocabulary programs.

After leaving school, vocabulary growth reaches a [[plateau]]. People may then expand their vocabularies by [[engaging]] in [[activities]] such as [[reading]], playing word games, and participating in vocabulary programs.

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]