So, you call yourself a geek? You are not alone. However, geekus authenticus (real geeks) realize that there are many unique varieties of nerd. In fact, there are at least seven different varieties of language geeks. Which type best describes you?
”Spudicus Prononciaticus”
Does it drive you crazy when people mispronounce words? What about foreign words that have been adopted into English? Do you sound like a Frenchman when you say bon appetit? You do not care if everyone else pronounces February wrong; you will make sure both r’s get proper emphasis! Yes, there is a difference between po-tay-to and po-tah-to. You have memorized the international phonetic alphabet in all its glory. You give respect to words by making sure that they receive proper sense stress and modulation. You are a master of all things pronunciation!
Sesquipedalian
If you know what this word means and you have used it, then it describes you. This fancy Latin term means “a foot and a half long.” That is how you like your words, isn’t it? The longer and the more obscure the term, the more you want to show it off; it doesn’t matter if no one knows what you are talking about. You have an extensive vocabulary. You complete crossword puzzles in minutes. You have read the dictionary from cover to cover. You are a bonafide wordie.
Word Origin Archaeologist
Etymologists, not to be confused with entomologists (the scientists who study bugs), investigate the history of words. From what language is the word derived? How has the meaning of the word changed over time? Like an archaeologist looking at dinosaur bones, word origin archaeologists try to ascertain how a word began and how old it is. Phrases and idioms fascinate you, too. For example, why say “he got the sack” when a boss fires an employee? You must investigate! Nothing fascinates you more than the life story of a word or phrase. You are a word historian.
Grammar Despot
The world is a dangerous place for a grammar despot. You cannot read your Facebook news feed or page through the grocery ads without being assaulted with crimes against grammar. When you see fewer in the place of less or you’re in the place of your, you feel your blood pressure rise. Conventions of writing make you feel comfortable and secure. You have a message for anyone who writes anything: Please follow grammar rules. Be kind to your editor. Make the world a safer place to read! You are an authority on the English language, and your prowess should be revered!
Super Speller
Did you mark the date of next year’s National Spelling Bee on your calendar? Do colleagues and classmates constantly ask you how to spell words? You must be the resident super speller. Correctly spelled words make you happy. One by one, you root out typos and misspellings from your work and the writings of your friends. No matter if they did not request help. It is your pleasure; you are an alphabet guru!
Jargon Junkie
The word dog is extremely limited in its descriptive ability. You prefer the infinitely superior Canis lupus familiaris. You post octothorps rather than hashtags on your Twitter feed. You ask your sick friends if they are feeling agonal. It doesn’t matter that you are not a doctor or a veterinarian. The jargon of these professions is fair game. If there is a technical term available, you will use it.
Language Olympian
¡Te encantan las idiomas! Do languages hold a certain je ne sais quoi? If you speak several languages fluently, you can be proud of your polyglotism. Besides being handy for travel, learning languages brings other benefits. Studies show that people who speak multiple languages have better recall than monolingual people. If you scored well on math and reading standardized tests, you can thank your bilingual abilities. Scientists believe that these gains are attained as language learners exercise their brains, increasing mental strength the same way that exercise strengthens the body. Don’t settle for the status quo. Learning one language is not enough. Put your mind in training for the next language challenge. You are proud to be multilingual!
Did you identify with one of the seven categories? If you fit one of the descriptions, you can officially identify as a real language geek. Just to be sure you can take our newest quiz. If you are particularly captivated by words, languages, or grammar, you might fall into more than one category. In that case, give yourself a pat on the back. You are a super geek!
from http://www.grammarly.com/blog http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/seven-kinds-of-language-geeks/
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