4.2--Esoteric

When and Where

I came across "esoteric" while reading for LTED 618. In chapter 4 of Hicks (2013) Crafting Digital Writing he is discussing the connections between digital writing and traditional writing. He lists several principles that  make for a good presentation that a colleague uses in his blog and says "this may all seem a bit esoteric, but these are the same principles we talk about when we discuss what makes good writing" (p. 63).

Level of Familiarity

I know I have seen this word before, in fact I am certain I have looked this word up before, but for some reason the definition does not stick. The word looks to me like it would mean something rare and different. Like used to decsribe a very eccentric person, or one who has very distinct tastes. It also reminds me of a very sparse but odd decorative style....weird that I think of all that when I hear it, but I do! However, based on the context I found it in, the defintions I thought up do not seem to fit. I can't  I have definitley encountered this word multiple times, so I decided when reading Hicks (2013) that I would find out once and for all, and not forget this time!

What it Means

Dictionary.com defines the word as: 

1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions.

2. belonging to the select few.

3. private; secret; confidential. 

 

Reflective Commentary

 

Since I have come across this word multiple times, I think this is an important word to remember, plus I like how it sounds, is spelled and looks. I am still not 100% sure what the word was supposed to mean in Hicks (2013) sentence. Did he mean that those principles seemed secret? Or that only those with knowledge in that specific field would understand? So, I think I understand the word based on the defintion, but not how it is used in the context, so it makes me wonder if the word has connotations I may not grasp.  

4:1-- Desultory

When and Where

I came across "desultory" in our readings for last week. In Urquhart and Frazee's Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (2012) they say "if a student does not understand a word such as desultory in a short story, his or her understanding of the story might not be affected" (p. 17). When I read this, I was like, "oh no, I do not know what this word means, does that mean I have never fully understood short stories?"

Level of Familiarity

I have never seen or heard this word before, which surprised me given the context. The way the authors referred to it made it seem a common word that students should know. I could not even begin to use the context to determine its meaning, but it reminded me of the word "result" and also the pre-fix "de" told me the word had more of a negative connotation, having something to do with not being or doing or having something.

What it Means

Dictionary.com defines desultory as: 1. Lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful. 2. Digressing from or unconnected with the main subject.

Reflective Commentary

My assumption based on the pre-fix was right. This word definitely has a negative connotation. I realized that I understood the concept of desultory even if I did not have that particular term to know it by. I do see myself using this word, especially in my writing. I am always glad when I can learn new adjectives. I do not see myself using it in regualr conversation though, it seems reserved for more formal assignments and speech.

Dissonance--3:2

When and Where

Tuesday morning I was explaining to my boyfriend that I think this pregnancy is causing me to lose cognitive ability. I referred back the day before and told him how a student of mine needed a band-aid and I kept referring to it as a rubber band. I said it so many times that the student finally lost it and shouted "why do you keep calling it a rubber band!? It's BAND-AID!" I have done this several times though, mixing up my words, causing a general confusion. So, after sharing my story with him he asked me "what does cognitive mean? I hear it all the time but I don't know exactly what it means." So then I tell him the definition, and he then asks what "cognitive dissonance" means, and he had me stumped. I told him I had heard the word several times (dissonance), and I had a feel for what it might mean, but I was not sure.

Level of Familiarity

I have definitely heard the word before, but not sure where. I had a tenuous understanding of it, but not enough to use the word when speaking. It reminded me of the poetic term: assonance, which means similar vowel sounds which are pleasing to the ear.

What it Means

Dictionary.com defines dissonance as an inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony. Although I had the definition for dissonance, I still could not exactly define cognitive dssonance, so I googled that. Wikipedia defines it as: the discomfort exerienced when simultaneously holding two or more conflicting ideas.

Reflective Commentary

After looking up the definition of this word, my understanding is more solidified. When I was trying to guess the meaning on my own, discord was one of the synonyms I used. I can see how it would be used in context, and a bit more metaphorically, as it is used in cognitive dissonance, to have discord among your ideas.
I do see myself using this word. Since I already had some understanding of the word I am more ready to bring it in to my own usage.

Halcyon--3.1

When &Where

I came across this word while sitting at me kitchen table and  googling "words every college student should know."

Level of Familiarity

I was getting nervous about not encountering an unfamiliar word, so I went out and found one. I am confident that I have seen this word before, but had no idea what it meant.

What it Means

Dictionary.com defines "halcyon" as the following when used as an adjective:
1. calm; peaceful; tranquil
2. rich; wealthy; prosperous
3. happy; joyful; carefree
4. of or pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher
When used as a noun:
5. a mythical bird, usually identified with the kingfisher, said to breed about the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea, and to have the power of charming winds and waves into calmness.

Reflective Commentary

I am very glad to have chosen this word to pursue the meaning of. I love the meaning of this word, all aspects and nuances. Calm, peaceful, and tranquil have always been favorite adjectives of mine;words that stir up very positive connotations, and now "halcyon" can join them! At first I was not sure how to pronounce it, but took advantage of the speaker icon to hear the word pronounced and found it pleasant sounding too. It  sounds like "calcium" but with an "n" instead of an "m" at the end. Another connection to this word I made and reason for feeling close to it already is its relationship with the kingfisher, a type of bird. For the past six years we have taken a family trip to the Outer Banks and the house we stay in is called the kingfisher. Our vacation down there is always  halcyon, filled with days spent right next to the rolling blue ocean.

I do not feel comfortable using this word in my daily speech just yet, but maybe the more familiar I become with it,it may sneak its way into my vocabulary. It will definitely show up as a synonym to calm and peaceful when I'm teaching diction in writing!