How to expand your vocabulary

                    By Bayo Ogunmupe

     Your vocabulary, diction and phonetic pronunciation of words in conversation, correspondence and letters determine your status in life. More so, your mastery of language and command of words are crucial in your quest for promotion and survival in such professions as teaching, journalism, law and politics. Being versatile with words is essential in being celebrated  in forensic oratory, as a legal luminary and political demagogue. A good vocabulary makes you a leader.

     This is why for the past decade or two, I have invested a significant amount of effort into expanding my vocabulary. In the process I have found some methods more effective than others, some of which are herewith outlined in this column. There are two ways to learn new words: by deliberately looking them up in the dictionary or by learning them while reading, listening or in a conversation. I have found the latter more effective and methods set below should be used to explore ways to increase your vocabulary.

     One, looking up every new word you come across is the most valuable aid in vocabulary development. Every time you are exposed to a new word, look up in the dictionary or wikipedia, its definition, its context and its meaning. You shouldn't expect to master the word at your first exposure to it; you may have to go through this process multiple times before the word sticks.

     Two, ask your friends about a new word used in conversation. While sounding dumb asking friends for definitions, you will find yourself asking less often as your vocabulary grows. Later, your friends will start to associate your brilliance and uniqueness with your excellent vocabulary. Moreover, when you ask a friend the definition of a word, it insinuates you admire their vocabulary. He will appreciate that and be happy to share his knowledge with you. Memories of social interactions are easier to remember than definitions. That association allows you to use the memory as a retrieval cue for the definition in question.

     Three, read every day. It has been established by many people that reading determines the status and wealth of people. People like the world's richest man, Bill Gates, the greatest investor in the world, Warren Buffett and his friend Charlie Munger. According to his biographer, Alice Schroeder, Buffett reads at least 5 hours a day. According to Peter Bevelin, author of Poor Charlie's Almanack, Buffett and Munger have a habit of committing far more time to learning and thinking than to doing.

     Find a genre or author that you like and make reading them daily a priority. Allow your vocabulary to grow slowly.In situations where you cannot find books, the auditory medium can be convenient. Whenever you have the time, listen to audiobook or podcast. Where you have a long commute to work daily, an hour of commute can translate into two hours of reading with very little effort.

     Four, the mnemonic device, also called memory device is a learning technique that aids in information retention and retrieval in the human brain. You should cultivate using this device. To use this effectively, you should research it to find a method that works for you. When you have trouble learning any particular word, write it down. Our brains use neurons to store memories. When you learn a new word, an electrical signal travels through a neural pathway in your brain which you perceive as a memory. Such an event is registered and recognized as memory in the future. Thus the act of writing becomes a memory which can easily be recalled. All in all, use a simple word correctly instead of big words. Be concise, not verbose.