language or list or set of words that everyone uses for a particular language or a list or set of words that individual speakers of language might use.
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In addition according to Keith S. Folse, vocabulary is a count noun that can be much more than just a single unit word.
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Meanwhile, as Cyril Connolly stated that the vocabulary of a writer is her currency, but it is a paper currency
and its value depends on the reserves of mind and heart which back it. A vast wordshoard is valueless unless the owner’s assets are readily negotiable and
intelligently spent.
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Another definition comes from Kridalaksana as stated in Zaenuri’s book that vocabulary is a component of language that contains all of
information meaning and using word in language.
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Based on the definition above, it can be stated that vocabulary is a list of words or stock of words used by person in language containing meaning,
and the usage that she can find in the dictionary or specialized glossary.
1. The Kind of Vocabulary
People have attempted to learn second language from the time of the romans, and perhaps before. In this period of more than two thousand years,
there have been numerous different approaches to language learning, each with a different perspective on vocabulary. At times, vocabulary is given pride
of place teaching methodologies, and other time neglected. In order to help understand the current state of vocabulary studies as discussed in subsequent
chapters, this time will first briefly review the kinds of vocabulary.
2
Evelyn Hatch and Cheryl Brown, Vocabulary, Semantics, and Language Education, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995,p.1
3
Keith S. Folse, Vocabulary Myths,Florida: The University of Michigan Press,2004,p.2
4
Marvin S. Zuckerman, Words,Words,Words,Glencoe Publishing CO., INC.Encino, California,1974,p.6
5
A.M. Zainuri, Vocabulary I, Fakultas Ilmu Tarbiyah dan Keguruan, Universitas Islam Negeri Jakarta: UIN Jakarta, P. 1.
According to Fries, there are two kinds of vocabulary: a. The function words are a closed class. We cannot add the
preposition, auxiliaries, modals, or any structure words of the language. Function words in English conclude prepositions at, in,
of, and between, pronouns he, they, she, determiners the, much, more, either, neither, conjunctions that, when, while, and
although, auxiliary verbs be: is, am, are, have and particles not, not, nor, as.
b. The content words or lexical words are words that carry the content or the meaning of the sentence. It can be called as open-class
words. Open classes accept the addition of new morphemes such process as compounding, derivation, inflection, coining and
borrowing. It can be added to any times as new scientific advances make new words and communication about new inventions
necessary.
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The content words can be divided into general classes:: 1. Words meaning things, ideas, entities, that we might call them
noun 2. Words naming action called verbs
3. Words used to describe the qualities of those things or actions adjectives and adverbs.
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Another kinds of vocabulary comes from Jo Ann Aebersold that was stated by A.M. Zainuri in his book. He says that there are two kinds of
6
Charles C. Fries, Teaching and Learning English as a Foreign Language, Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 1945, p.44.
7
A.M. Zainuri, Vocabulary I, Fakultas Ilmu Tarbiyah dan Keguruan, Universitas Islam Negeri Jakarta: UIN Jakarta, p. 2.
vocabulary, namely active vocabulary and passive vocabulary.
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Below are the brief description about active vocabulary and passive vocabulary.
a. Active vocabulary
Active vocabulary refers to items which the students can use appropriately in speaking or writing. Active vocabulary can be also called as a
productive vocabulary. It means the student has to know how to pronounce it well and the student has to know how pronounce it well and students has to
know and be able to use grammar of the target language. In productive vocabulary, the student has to know about collocation and the student has to
understand the connotation meaning of the word. Martin Manser notes that an active vocabulary consists of the word
that people use frequently and confidently. If someone asks them to make up a sentence containing a word, they can do it for conversation or writing.
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b. 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.
As states by Martin Manser, A passive vocabulary consists of the words whose meanings people know so that they do not have to look the
words up in a dictionary but which they would not necessarily use in ordinary conversation or writing.
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B. Song and Its General Function
Songs play an important role in human life. It is inseparable to any elements of people from children to adults. They like listening and singing
songs whenever and wherever they want to. As Guglimenio in Reasons for
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Ibid, p. 1.
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Retrieved from Grammar.about.comodabgactivevocabularyterm.htm on October 20, 2015 at 01.52 a.m.
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ibid
