5
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Vocabulary 1. The Meaning of Vocabulary
In learning a new language, vocabulary is one of the crucial language components that language learners have to master. Every language learner
cannot master a language they learn without learning about vocabulary. Language learners need a great range of vocabulary to be able to understand a
text written in English, comprehend the message, and also speak and write in English. This explains the importance of vocabulary in language learning that
will help language learners in building their language skills. There are some definitions of vocabulary given by the experts.
Harimukti Kridalaksana defines “vocabulary as a component of language that
contains all of information about meaning and using word in language ”.
1
It means that vocabulary is a part of language involves the meaning and the use
of word in language. While according to Wilkins, “you can say very little with grammar, but
you can say almost anything with words”.
2
This statement explain the importance of vocabulary in language learning, a great range of vocabulary
will be very helpful for the students to build their language skills and help them in communicate with others.
Allen also stated, without a great range of vocabulary it will be very hard for a language learner to build their language skills.
3
In line with them
1
Harimukti Kridalaksana, Kamus Linguistik, Edisi Ke Empat Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2008, p.142.
2
Scott Thornbury, How to Teach Vocabulary, Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 2002, p. 13
3
Virginia French Allen, Techniques in Teaching Vocabulary. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1983, p. 7.
Read defines “Vocabulary knowledge involves knowing the meanings of words”.
4
From some definitions above, it can be concluded that vocabulary is one of the important aspects in language learning and a great range of
vocabulary will help students to be able to understand a text written in English, comprehend the message, and also to speak and write in English.
2. The Kinds of Vocabulary
Aebersold and Field classified vocabulary into two categories; they are receptive and productive vocabulary.
5
Receptive vocabulary was known as the vocabulary that the learners knew but they did not use it when they speak
or write. Vocabulary that learners use in speaking and writing is known as productive vocabulary. From this explanation, it can be concluded that there
are some vocabulary known by the learner but they did not use it productively in speaking and writing.
In harmony with Aebersold and Field, Fries divided vocabulary into two kinds, namely: function words and content words.
6
The function words include auxiliaries, prepositions, and conjunctions. The content words on the
other hand fall into three categories: nouns, verbs, adjective and adverb. It can be concluded that the learner should know which one function word is and
which one content word is. The learners also need to distinguish which one is noun, verb or adjective and adverb.
Furthermore Celce-Muria and Olshthain classified vocabulary into content and function words.
7
Content words include nouns, verbs, and adjective. While function words include pronouns, auxiliary verbs,
4
John Read, Assessing Vocabulary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001, p. 16.
5
Jo Ann Aebersold and Mary Lee Field, From Reader to Reading Teacher. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997, p. 139.
6
Charles C. Fries, Teaching and Learning English as a Foreign Language. Rexdale: University of Michigan Press, 1978, pp. 44-47.
7
Marianne Celce-Muria and Elite Olshtain,, Discourse and Context in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000, p. 76.
Kategori