Finding Words

A few weeks ago my friend Trish asked where I find the words and information for Wild Word Fridays. I’m no expert on words, but I’ve found an abundant number of resources concerning words. In no particular order, I usually find my Wild Words from one or more of these sources:

1. Dictionaries. My office is full of dictionaries from a variety of languages. My favorite for Wild Word research is a dictionary of the reconstructed Indo-European language, but I also rely heavily (no pun intended, yeah right) on a giant Webster’s.

2. Reader suggestions. All of you help me out when you suggest a word or word origins for our Wild Word Fridays. I love the interaction and communication.

3. The Internet. Way back in the old days before the Internet, research was hugely time consuming. I spent 9 years writing my first novel, and I spent most of that time researching the ancient Aleut culture and TRYING to research the language. There was no definitive lexicon of the Aleut language until I wrote my third novel, BROTHER WIND. I’m so glad for the Internet. It’s not perfect, but it sure brings a lot of information to our fingertips!

4. Interviews and conversations. I love to talk about language and words with people.

5. Audio resources – television, radio and CDs. I particularly love courses produced by The Teaching Company. I almost always have one of their tapes (in my old 2000 Chrysler Town and Country, which still has a tape player) or CDs waiting for me. I listen during travel time.

6. Lectures and sermons.

7. Kid chatter. It’s a great joy to listen to children communicate with each other. One of my little grandniece first words is tickle. That’s a perfect Wild Word. Hope I can find some good information about it.

8. Family lore. My husband’s dad is a great resource. He was born in 1919 and often uses words that harken back to the olden days, especially when he’s reminiscing.

9. Books. I especially love the “poetry” of the King James version of the Bible and of authors who wrote in the 1800s, like Charles Dickens. His book BLEAK HOUSE is full of incredible ideas for Wild Words.

10. Song lyrics. I love the words and music of Patsy Cline’s CRAZY. I need to look up that word…

Thanks for the idea for this post, Trish! Happy Autumn in the Land Down Under.

Q4U: Do you have any suggestions for our Wild Word Fridays? I’d love to hear them!

Blessings!

Sue