Wicked Language Learning — It’s All About Popular
Everybody is using this method
When Glinda in ‘Wicked’ belts out ‘Popular’, she’s not just singing about social status; inadvertently, she’s touching upon a crucial aspect of language learning.
In the realm of langauge learning, ‘popular’ doesn’t just mean trendy or in vogue; it means frequent, regularly used. This article explores how focusing on these ‘popular’ words — the most frequently used ones — is key to mastering a new language, guided by the concept of network effects.
Understanding Network Effects in Language
Network effects are a fascinating phenomenon that extend beyond the realms of technology and social media; they’re also a fundamental aspect of language learning. To understand this, let’s consider the telephone, particularly the smartphone, arguably the most revolutionary communication tool of our time. Its value, however, is inherently tied to how many people use it.
Imagine taking a smartphone back to the year 1600. Despite its advanced features, it would be rendered useless because no one else would have a phone to connect with. Nor is there any place to plug it in, because there’s no electricity network.
This is a classic example of network effects: the utility of a phone increases exponentially with the number of people who have telephones.
In applying the concept of network effects to language learning, it becomes clear that the value of a word in communication is significantly tied to how frequently it is used. While understanding function words like ‘the’, ‘is’, and ‘and’ in English forms the backbone of grammatical structure, gaining proficiency in common verbs and nouns is crucial for effective everyday communication.
Words such as ‘go’, ‘see’, ‘want’ (verbs), and ‘people’, ‘day’, ‘thing’ (nouns) are examples of high-frequency content words that are indispensable in a variety of conversational contexts. These words are used more frequently and by a broader range of people, making them more practical and essential for learners aiming for fluency.
In contrast, while more complex or archaic words like ‘perambulate’ or ‘conflagration’ may enrich one’s vocabulary, they don’t offer the same immediate utility as these commonly used verbs and nouns. Therefore, for learners seeking practical communication skills, prioritizing these popular, frequently used words will prove far more beneficial in achieving effective and fluent language use.
These frequently used words are the linguistic equivalent of a widely-used smartphone network in modern times. They enable connectivity and understanding in a way that rare, seldom-used words cannot. Just as a smartphone’s worth is in its network, a word’s value lies in its ubiquity and frequency of use in everyday language.
Embracing ‘Low Brow’ Language Learning
In the realm of culture, ‘popular’ often gets unfairly labeled as ‘low brow’, especially when compared to the sophisticated allure of more complex vocabulary. However, there’s a compelling argument for the value of being fluent with simpler, more commonly used words.
It’s far more practical and effective to be a fluent, ‘low brow’ speaker who confidently uses a foundational set of 50 easy words than to struggle with 100 challenging ones. This approach is not about limiting one’s linguistic aspirations but rather building a strong and usable foundation. After all, the essence of language is communication, and being able to express basic ideas clearly and effectively is a significant achievement.
Consider the real-world scenarios where language is a tool — ordering food, asking for directions, making friends. In these everyday interactions, fluency with simple, ‘popular’ words far outweighs the occasional use of complex, lesser-known vocabulary. This fluency not only boosts confidence but also opens doors to more in-depth language learning experiences.
Moreover, starting with these accessible common words lays a solid groundwork. As language skills develop, one can always expand their vocabulary to include more intricate words. But the initial focus should be on practicality and ease of communication, not on impressing with rarely used, complex terminology.
Popular words are everywhere
When it comes to acquiring the most frequently used words in a language, the good news is that they’re inherently prevalent — they’re everywhere simply because they’re popular. However, strategically identifying and learning them can fast-track language proficiency.
- Frequency Dictionaries and Language Apps: These are invaluable tools. Frequency dictionaries specifically list words based on how often they’re used in the language, giving learners a clear roadmap of what to prioritize. Language learning apps often incorporate algorithms to teach the most commonly used vocabulary first, based on real-world usage data. Apps like Glossika, Babbel, or Anki use spaced repetition systems (SRS) to help learners memorize these words more effectively.
- News and Current Affairs: Regularly reading or watching the news in the target language is another excellent strategy. News language tends to be formal yet uses a high frequency of common words, making it a rich resource for learners. Newspapers, online news portals, and news channels are easily accessible (and usually free) resources for this.
- Cultural Immersion: Immersing oneself in the culture of the language is perhaps the most natural way to encounter frequent words. Watching popular TV shows, movies, or listening to music in the target language exposes learners to everyday vocabulary in context. For example, watching a Spanish telenovela or a German sitcom can not only familiarize you with frequently used words but also with how they are used in everyday conversation. The more low-brow the better. I would never watch an English-language dating show, but my favourite Chinese TV show is If you are the one.
The Role of Less Frequent Words: Precision and Social Signalling
While understanding and using popular words is essential for basic communication, languages are rich tapestries woven with a diverse range of words. This diversity serves two key purposes: achieving precision in description and facilitating social signaling.
- Precision in Communication: Often, the most frequently used words are not enough to convey specific, nuanced, or complex ideas. For instance, while the word ‘sad’ is common and useful, words like ‘melancholic’, ‘despondent’, or ‘crestfallen’ offer more precise shades of meaning. In scientific, technical, or academic contexts, specialized vocabulary is crucial for accurately describing complex concepts. For example, in medical discourse, terms like ‘cardiomegaly’ or ‘neuroplasticity’ are indispensable for precise communication.
- Social Signalling and In-Group Language: Language also serves as a tool for social identity and cohesion. Using certain less common words can signal membership in a particular group or social status. For instance, professionals in different fields often use jargon as a shorthand among peers, which also serves to establish their expertise and group identity. In social settings, using sophisticated or lesser-known words can be a way to display education, wit, or cultural knowledge.
Sometimes, these two purposes intersect. For example, legal or literary language often combines the need for precise description with a desire to maintain a certain in-group exclusivity. Using words like ‘habeas corpus’ in law or ‘bildungsroman’ in literature serves both to describe specific concepts accurately and to signal a certain level of expertise or education in those fields.
The Real Magic of Being ‘Popular’ in Language
Much like the enchanting world of ‘Wicked’, the realm of language learning has its own magic, found in the power of popular words. These words are the spells that unlock conversations, forge connections, and build bridges across cultures.
By focusing on what is most used and needed, we not only learn to speak a new language but also to truly communicate. So, let’s take a page from Glinda’s book and find the real magic in choosing ‘Popular’ — not in fame, but in the words we choose to learn and use.
