How many words are there in the English language? It’s a question that stumps even the experts. The ever-evolving nature of English, with its roots in Germanic & Romance languages, makes it a linguistic treasure trove. A recent article on Mental Floss took a look at this conundrum.
A Historical ‘Borrower’
English is notorious for borrowing from other languages. The Norman Conquest of 1066 alone introduced about 10,000 French words into English. Everyday terms like “menu” & “ballet” are just a few examples.
The Plural Problem & Compound Conundrum
English complicates things further with its multitude of meanings & forms. Take the word “bat.” It’s a noun (a flying mammal) & a verb (to hit). Then there are plurals (bats) & compounds (batgirl). Should these count as separate words?
Ever-Expanding Boundaries
Languages grow continuously. Modern slang & technical jargon blur the lines even more. Terms like “selfie,” “binge-watch” & “ghosting” reflect the digital age’s influence on language. According to Merriam-Webster, language boundaries are flexible, making an exact count elusive.
Global Influence
English is spoken as a first language by about 375 million people and as a second language by approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, continually introducing new words and phrases [i.e. it’s not all ‘our’ fault!]
Polysemy
Many common words in English are polysemous. For instance, “set” has over 430 different meanings listed in the OED, making it one of the most polysemous words in English.
Lexicographical Estimates
So, how many words are there? The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) offers some insight. The second edition, published in 1989, lists 171,476 words, plus 47,156 obsolete terms. Including words with multiple meanings, the total reaches around 750,000, with over 100,000 obsolete. Yet, these numbers should be taken as no more than a rough estimate
Teacher Takeaways?
Language as History: Highlight the rich history & diverse origins of English vocabulary in your lessons. This can spark interest & appreciation among students & may well be related to a word in their language.
Contextual Learning: Focus on teaching words in context. Understanding usage & nuances can help learners grasp meanings more effectively.
Move with the times: Introduce modern slang & technical terms to ensure your content relevant & engaging.
Encourage Curiosity: Motivate students to explore word origins & meanings, fostering a deeper connection with the language.
Word families: Paly around with morphology & polysemes. What can we get out of one ‘base’?
What’s more important- quantity or quality?
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