為何“宇宙”的英文單詞為 universe?人生的“逆境”為adversity?為甚么“顛覆”傳統(tǒng)或政體用subvert?描述“多才多藝的”人或“多功能的”機(jī)械用versatile?

英語中帶有vers或vert詞根的字匯相當(dāng)?shù)亩?,這兩個拉丁詞根雖然外形稍異,但意義相同,都在表達(dá)“旋轉(zhuǎn)、翻轉(zhuǎn)、轉(zhuǎn)向、變成”(turn)之意。因此,“宇宙”(universe)的原意就是萬物“變成、合為”(vers = turn into)“一體”(uni = one);“逆境”就是無數(shù) "困頓"(hardships)與 "災(zāi)難"(disasters)在“襲擊”(ad + vers = against + turn = turn against)人們的一種狀態(tài),所以稱為adversity;“顛覆”傳統(tǒng)或體制必須要暗從“底下”(sub=under)加以“翻轉(zhuǎn)”(vert=turn)才能奏效,故用subvert;而人的“多才多藝”與機(jī)器的“多功能”系指某人或機(jī)器能夠隨時“轉(zhuǎn)換、改變”(vers = change)其 "技能"(skill)或 "功能"(function),故兩者皆用同一描述詞versatile。

接下來我們來認(rèn)識vers 與vert 如何與其它“詞素”結(jié)合,形成可以獨(dú)立使用的符號-單詞:
1. universe n. (uni + vers = one + turn = all things turned into one) 宇宙;萬有
2. adversity n. (ad + vers = against + turn = the condition of being turned against)逆境;苦難
3. versatile adj.(vers + ile = turn + able = able to turn from one skill to another)多才多藝的;多功能的;易變的
4. convert v.(con + vert = together + turn = turn together to the same belief or turn from one belief to another;change into another form)皈依;改變信仰;轉(zhuǎn)換

最后我們來看這些身懷vers/vert詞根的語匯。如何在日常生活中“旋轉(zhuǎn)”乾坤,“翻轉(zhuǎn)”紅塵:
1.No one knows exactly how the universe(= cosmos)has evolved
.沒有人確切知道宇宙是如何演化而來的。
2.My mother met with many adversities throughout her life.
我母親畢生歷經(jīng)許多的苦難。
3.I bought a versatile kitchen machine last month.
我上個月買了一部多功能的廚房用機(jī)器.
4.After three months of contemplation she converted to Buddhism.
經(jīng)三個月的沉思冥想之后,她改信了佛教.