On the Subject of English…
‘Skilled word reading involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. Underpinning both is the understanding that the letters on the page represent the sounds in spoken words…. ‘
‘Reading also feeds pupils’ imagination and opens up a treasure-house of wonder and joy for curious young minds.’
From The National Curriculum Framework 2014
Consider ‘glutinous’ ……..
In Pixie’s book …. ‘Our consumption of the device now rising to glutinous degrees….’
Meaning sticky, glue-like or of the nature of glue (etymology) – meant to convey that we are very much ‘glued’ to our phones!
But should it be ‘gluttonous’ she wondered? meaning excessively greedy and in relation to over-consumption of food and drink often associated with wealth! The word comes from the Latin ‘gluttire’ – to gulp down or swallow, gluttus – greedy and ‘gula’ – throat (etymology)
In this case Pixie agrees it should be ‘glutinous’ as we are indeed ‘glued’ to our phones!
And on the next page it does go on to say that Pixie ‘…..did not realise she was reaching the limits of excess.’ – meaning she was exceeding the usual or proper limit, degree, or measure so it does emphasise the point!
Lynn McAllister 