Teaching students about the plural of “motto” might seem like a minute detail in the grand scheme of language instruction, but indeed it is these small elements that weave the intricate and beautiful tapestry of language learning.
Motto, a term borrowed from Italian, has been used in English since at least the 17th century. It refers to a brief statement that expresses a principle, a goal, or an idea that guides a person, family, or institution. As educators, when we venture into teaching the plural form of this noun, we first must understand its unique characteristics.
In English language teaching, students are typically taught that we mostly form plurals by adding an -s or an -es to the end of a word. However, motto doesn’t follow this general rule. Its plural is not spelled with just an extra ‘s’, instead it forms its plural by adding -es at the end becoming “mottoes.”
This distinct change stems from its Italian roots where nouns ending in -o commonly form plurals by replacing the final -o with -oes. Teaching students about this exception to standard English pluralization rules provides them with an understanding of not only vocabulary but also the deep impacts of language borrowing on English grammar rules.
Despite “mottoes” being the traditional and more common form, you may also encounter “mottos,” as is somewhat common in American English. The use of ‘mottos’ aligns with our regular rule of adding ‘s’ to make plurals, and hence, its usage has become somewhat accepted over time.
Thus, when teaching about the plural of “motto”, educators need to highlight not only rules and their exceptions but also how language evolves over time and across regions. This can give students a broader perspective about the dynamic nature of language.
In conclusion, enriched instruction on the pluralization of unique words not only expands vocabulary but also enhances appreciation for cultural influences and shifts within speech patterns over time. Therefore, imparting knowledge about words like “motto” marks one critical step in this enlightening journey into language proficiency.
