Education, the meaning and lost translation of.......

Alright so I was given some enlightening into the ways of Education and the English language last night and it surprised me. To think that as a society we have advanced so far in comparisson to our past and our histroy but yet we seem to have back slid in so many other areas of life, that I wonder if the advancements are even worth it. I'll leave that up to you the reader and the individual to decide.

So the *sesame* word for today boys and girls is infact Educate as well as Education.

Now really you must wonder how this word, that seems so important to society and is infact the basis of ones wisdom and understanding of all that is and can be, could have changed well I will provide some fact for you

This is the definition in the Websters 1828 Dictionary of :

ED'UCATEt. [L. educo, educare; e and duco, to lead.] To bring up, as a child; to instruct; to inform and enlighten the understanding; to instill into the mind principles of arts, science, morals, religion and behavior. To educate children well is one of the most important duties of parents and guardians.

and

EDUCA'TION, n. [L. educatio.] The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.That seemed all well and good but I decided to check out 2 more sources just to see how these words that seem so important have evovled and changed

Then to compare I searched dictionary.com

Educate
1. To develop the innate capacities of, especially by schooling or instruction. See Synonyms at teach.
2. To provide with knowledge or training in a particular area or for a particular purpose: decided to educate herself in foreign languages; entered a seminary to be educated for the priesthood.
3.1. To provide with information; inform: a campaign that educated the public about the dangers of smoking.2. To bring to an understanding or acceptance: hoped to educate the voters to the need for increased spending on public schools.
4. To stimulate or develop the mental or moral growth of.
5. To develop or refine (one's taste or appreciation, for example).

v. intr.To teach or instruct a person or group

educationn 1: the activities of educating or instructing or teaching; activities that impart knowledge or skill; "he received no formal education"; "our instruction was carefully programmed"; "good teaching is seldom rewarded" [syn: instruction, teaching, pedagogy, educational activity]
2: knowledge acquired by learning and instruction; "it was clear that he had a very broad education"
3: the gradual process of acquiring knowledge; "education is a preparation for life"; "a girl's education was less important than a boy's"
4: the profession of teaching (especially at a school or college or university)
5: the result of good upbringing (especially knowledge of correct social behavior); "a woman of breeding and refinement" [syn: training, breeding]
6: the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with education (including federal aid to educational institutions and students); created 1979 [syn: Department of Education, Education Department, Education]

It's interesting how words can change or evolve in accordance to our current circumstances.

Today this is how websters dictionary defines education :
Merriam Websters Dictionary

Main Entry: ed·u·ca·tionPronunciation: "e-j&-'kA-sh&nFunction: noun
1 a : the action or process of educating or of being educated; also : a stage of such a process b : the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process
2 : the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools- ed·u·ca·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&-n&l/ adjective- ed·u·ca·tion·al·ly /-E/ adverb


Main Entry: ed·u·catePronunciation: 'e-j&-"kAtFunction: verbInflected Form(s): -cat·ed; -cat·ingEtymology: Middle English, to rear, from Latin educatus, past participle of educare to rear, educate, from educere to lead forth -- more at EDUCEtransitive senses
1 a : to provide schooling for b : to train by formal instruction and supervised practice especially in a skill, trade, or profession
2 a : to develop mentally, morally, or aesthetically especially by instruction b : to provide with information : INFORM
3 : to persuade or condition to feel, believe, or act in a desired way intransitive senses : to educate a person or thing

Is it just me that feel *jipped* here,, do you think that we could be so much better if only we understood the English language better?? I mean the origional writer of the Websters Dictionary was self taugh and well versed in 26 languages,, do you think maybe he knew something that we don't?? Do you think it is possible that this has happened in so many other areas of our lives we the child/the student have thought no we know better than those who have gone before us?? We have lost the value and the wisdom to recognize when others are right and are unable to swallow our pride and point the finger at ourselves.........

Well Chanks I have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to write and I hope that you readers are not confused with all I have come up with.

Have a GREAT and GLORIOUS day!!!!!

:D