Andrews+Chapter+8+Exploration+Activity-AG

__**Andrews Text Chapter 8 Page 238**__
__**Exploration**__: Hymn Language __**Directions**__: Look up the meanings for the italicized words in the following lines, taken from well-known hymns. __Wretch__(N) 1. a miserable person **:** one who is profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune, 2. a base, despicable, or vile person __Cleft__ (N) 1. a space or opening made by or as if by splitting. **C**. "Now let the //vault// of heaven resound..." __Vault__ (N) 1. an arched structure of masonry usually forming a ceiling or roof. 2. a room or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables
 * A**. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a //wretch// like me..."
 * B**. "Rock of ages, //cleft// for me..."

__**Sources**__ "cleft." //Merriam-Webster.com//. Merriam-Webster, 2011.Web. 24 Oct 2012. "vault." //Merriam-Webster.com//. Merriam-Webster, 2011.Web. 24 Oct 2012. "wretch." //Merriam-Webster.com//. Merriam-Webster, 2011.Web. 24 Oct 2012.

Yes, I use the adjective form of wretch and I use the term vault. __Wretch__- People do not really use the term wretch anymore. They do use the adjective form of the word, wretched. This shows the shift from using descriptive nouns to adjectives. __Cleft-__ I believe that this word is probably still used in some circles (scientist), but not in everyday languages. I believe this is due to specialization. This word now has a more narrow meaning than it did when the hymn was written. __Vault__- The use of this term in the hymnal is clearly not how we use it today. They are referring to the first definition, while, most people today are referring to the second definition. I believe this is due to degradation. What was once meant as spacious and high now can mean dark, small, and secretive. The only time people today use this term and are referring to the first definition is when they are describing a specific type of architecture called "vaulted ceilings". If a person is looking from this angle the evolution of language would be specialization. __​__
 * 1. Do you use any of these words today?**
 * 2. How do these words and their definitions illustrate how language changes over time?**