SecretWordDescription

 

SECRET WORD PRESENTATION
PROCEDURES

When students present their words, they will follow this procedure:

1. Look up the word in a good English dictionary (with etymology).
2. Find out what Greek words underlie the English words.
3. Look up the Greek words in a Greek-English lexicon.
4. Write down the Greek words and their meanings, and show your work to the Professor at least one week before your presentation.
5. Be sure that you understand and explain how the Greek words contribute to the English words’ meaning.

In class on the assigned day, students will:

1. Write the Greek words on the board, (including the article and genitive case for nouns).
2. After asking the class to determine the meanings of the Greek words, the presenter will write on the board the English translations of the Greek words.
3. After the class attempts to establish the English word (“the secret word”) derived from the Greek words , the presenter will write the English word on the board, and define it.
4. Presentations will between two and three minutes in length.

Students will put their Greek words on the board immediately before class, so that when class begins, we can proceed expeditiously.

The didaskalos will grade the presentations on clarity, accuracy, and efficient use of time; he may include “secret words” on quizzes and examinations, and ask students to identify their etymologies.

NOTE 1: The secret words are confidential. Students are not to reveal their words to others.

NOTE 2: Students are advised to look up all their secret words early in the semester, and to consult with the professor if they have questions about derivation, or if they have problems of any kind in finding the information they need for their presentations. Such consultations with the professor must occur before the day the word is presented.

An Example of a “Secret Word” Presentation.

Student receives the word “etymology”.

1. AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE THE SCHEDULED PRESENTATION, the student looks in English dictionary, which says “etymology” comes from the Greek etymologia, ETYMON and -LOGY
2. Student looks in English dictionary under “Etymon”, and finds that it comes from Greek etymon, “the literal sense of a word according to its origin, an etymon”, from the Greek etymos, “true, real”.
3. Student looks in Greek lexicon under ἐτυμολογία, and finds that it means “the true account or analysis of a word: its derivation, etymology.” The lexicon shows that the word comes from two other words: ἔτυμος and λόγος.
4. Student looks up ἔτυμος, –ον and finds that it is an adjective of two endings that means “true, real, actual”.
5. Student looks up λόγος, and finds that it means “word”, “account”.
6. On board, student writes in Greek letters:

                                      ἔτυμος, –ον                    ὁ λόγος, τοῦ λόγου

7. Student pronounces the words on the board, and asks class to repeat them aloud.
8. Student asks class to translate the Greek words.
9. Student writes “true” and “word” next to the appropriate words.
10. Student asks class to identify the English “secret word”.
11. Student writes “ETYMOLOGY” on the board, and says that it means the true account of a word’s derivation.
12. Student blushes, and bows to acknowledge the class’ spontaneous applause and effusive expressions of approbation.
13. Student sits down in triumph.