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1. Definition of Vocabulary
There are definitions of vocabulary given by expert. Hatch and Brown define vocabulary as a list or set of words for a particular language or a list
or set of words that individual speakers of language might use.
7
While Harimuti kridalaksana says, “Kosakata adalah komponen bahasa yang memuat informasi tentang
makna dan penggunaan kata dalam suatu bahasa.
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He says that vocabulary is a component of a language that maintains all information about meaning
and using words in a language. According to Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary,
vocabulary is : a
A list of words and phrases, abbreviation inflectional form etc. Usually arranged in alphabetical order defined or otherwise
identified as in a dictionary of glossary b
An interested group of non-verbal symbols, signs, gestures, etc. Used for communication or expression in a particular art, skill, etc.
9
Penny Ur defined that vocabulary is one of the important aspects in teaching a language, besides grammar and pronunciation. As a stock of
words used by a person, vocabulary can be defined , roughly, as the word we teach in foreign language.
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And Robert Lado, defined vocabulary as means the memory of the situation in which they have been observed and understood.
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It means that to know a words is to use it or to understand in situation in which the
person has not experienced it before.
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Evelyn Hatch and Cheryl Brown, Vocabulary, semantic and Language Education, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995, p. 1.
8
Harimurti Kridalaksana, Kamus linguistic, Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 1993, p. 27.
9
Meriem Webster’s Ninth, New Collegiate Dictionary, America: Meriem Webster, Inc, 1983,p. 1494
10
Penny Ur, A Course in Language Teaching: Practice and Theory, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996, p.60.
11
Robert Lado, Language Teaching: A Scientific Approach, Bombay-New Delhi : McGraw Hill Publishing Co.Ltd, 1974, p.118
iv Based on the definition above, the writer says that vocabulary is a list
or a stock of words, phrases, signs, codes or rules of the world, which can be defined and identified. Surely it cannot be separated from people in all
social levels.
2. Kinds of Vocabulary
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