The Understanding of Vocabulary
2. Passive Vocabulary: refers to language items that can be recognized and understood in the context of reading and listening.
It is also called as receptive vocabulary.
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Active vocabularies are vocabularies or the words that we use in speaking and writing, two of language skill. These
vocabularies are often called as productive vocabularies because they are in case of speaking, have to be said by good pronounced in
order that our rival can understand what we mean. In case of writing we have to write by good letter in order to avoid
misunderstanding from readers. To use the active vocabulary or productive vocabulary we have to know and be able to use
grammar of the target language, we are hoped to familiar with collocation and understand the connotation meaning of the words
too. This vocabulary is more prominent in the first level of a course.
Passive vocabulary is vocabulary used in two kinds of language skill that is reading and listening. Passive vocabulary
refers to language items that can be recognized and understood in the context of reading and listening, and also called as receptive
vocabulary. Passive vocabulary is more useful when the student in higher level of study such as intermediate level or advanced level.
b. Based on its form and function John Read in his book, Assessing Vocabulary, mentioned two kinds of
vocabulary based on its form and function, they are: 1. Function Words
These are the words, which only have a full meaning when they are integrated
with other word. It includes articles, preposition, pronoun, conjunction, auxiliaries, etc.
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Ruth Grains and Stuart Redman, Working with Words a Guide to Teaching and Learning, New York : Cambridge University Press, 1986, p. 65
2. Content Words These are the words, which have a full meaning and
provide links within sentences. It includes noun, full verb, adjectives, and adverb.
c. Used for Communication
S.H. Burton and J. A. Humphries in A.M Zainuri, there are two kinds of vocabulary used by the people for communication, namely:
1. General Vocabulary :It is of the words used in general. There is no limited of fields or users, terms general that the writer means is
general in meaning and using. 2. Special vocabulary : It is used in certain field, job, profession or
special science. For example; politicians, journalist, and lawyers.
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So, no matter how many experts classify vocabulary, words are a part of language elements or language tools of communication
which are used by a people.