Learning & Studying
Modern
American society appears to be ambivalent about learning. We all claim
it’s of paramount importance, but oddly, those who excel at it are seldom
considered heroes. After looking into the etymologies of these two words, I
find myself wondering whether the concept so many of us really admire and
aspire to is that of studying more than learning.
To
my surprise, the word learn covers only 2/3 of a page of
the OED. To be truthful, the entry isn’t fascinating reading.
Learn has roots in all the Germanic languages (except for Dutch, for
some unknown reason). Ever since it entered English about 900 AD, learn
has meant to acquire knowledge.
About the most intriguing story learn has to tell us is that back in
the 1400s, “I learned him his lesson,” was considered proper English.
The
word study,
on the other hand, is worthy of some study. It covers nearly three pages
of the OED. It’s related to studio, student, & etude. Study
comes from Latin through French, and originally referred to zealousness, affection, seeking help, and applying oneself. It made its way into
English writings when Chaucer employed it in 1374, and has countless shades of
meaning. The verb alone includes, but is not limited to
these varied nuances:
-devotion to another’s
welfare
-the action of committing
to memory
-friendliness
-an employment, occupation
or pursuit
-careful observation or
examination
-a state of mental
perplexity
-a state of reverie or
abstraction
-application of mind to
the acquisition of learning
-attentive reading
-desire, inclination,
pleasure or interest in something
-reflection
What
a world it would be if we all immersed ourselves in study in all its various
meanings. Even that state of mental
perplexity can be a great thing. When I’m perplexed about something, it
often leads me to, well, study it.
Dear
followers, what connections do you make with the various meanings of study,
or what theories do you have regarding society’s apparent ambivalence regarding
this topic?
I never knew that meaning of study that has to do with looking out for another's welfare. So in college when a guy invited me to his room for a "study date", he was just looking out for my welfare? :-)
ReplyDeleteThere's also "study" the noun. I call the place I work a study, but a lot of people call theirs an "office". I wonder if that means I'm more perplexed than most writers?
Thanks for the Thursday wisdom!
Gotta love the word study. Love that it is a state of perplexity, reverie and abstraction. Wonderful! Does that mean that students are perplexed, full of reverie and abstract? I would kind of like to think so!
ReplyDeleteI like to think of "study" as a combination of the following two definitions:
ReplyDelete-a state of mental perplexity
-a state of reverie or abstraction
Put them together and what do you get? Bibbidy bobbidy boo.
No, I actually have a serious answer, which is the combined sense of perplexity and reverie, since in the study of something, I'm usually left with more questions than answers. I've been told by wise persons that this is a good thing, which was even more perplexing as I thought that wisdom meant "having the answers," when it really means knowing the questions.
Hi Christine, Anne & Steve,
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by. It looks like the perplexing element of the word study has got our collective attention. Anne, I imagine one man's study is another man's studly.