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Ayanna Fields

Professor Cuddy
English 101
26 September 2016

We All Have Them


Heres a riddle for you, what is something that is not tangible but you can have and also
be in one? Havent guessed it yet? Try a relationship! The variety that comes with this noun is
interesting because you are automatically given one once born into a family, you can build them
into friendships, you can be in one with a significant other and the list only goes on. Considering
the various forms of relationships that can be applied to ones life I appreciate the positive
impact that relatives, friendships and dating have made within mine.
The state or fact of being related (relationship, n.). This form of relationship has
done a great deal for me whether it be having older cousins who stepped in as siblings while
being an only child or having a parent who ensured I was well taken care of throughout my
upbringing. As I matriculated through life I found myself attending various schools, taking part
in local programs, needing transportation, looking for advice, staying involved in the community
and I never seemed to have to look far for support. A grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin or parent
has always been in close proximity to offer their assistance due to the mere fact that we are
related, my relatives took and still take the concept of being family and supporting one another
very seriously.
There have been instances where someone has formed such a strong friendship that we
have taken in these individuals and considered them family which brings me to Oxfords second
definition of relationship; A connection formed between two or more people or groups based on

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social interactions and mutual goals, interests, or feelings (relationship, n.). I pride myself in
the friendships I have been able to maintain from as early as kindergarten that still thrive today
as a college student. The way Oxford defines this relationship is pivotal to understanding the
aspects of friendship and what truly binds friends. Despite a 15 year or year long friendship, I
ensure the individual and myself have mutual goals and interests because without these two
components the relationship is not built on a firm foundation.
When it comes to dating I have a firm belief that if your relationship does not stem from a
friendship there will be issues to ensue simply because it is purely based off of An emotional
and sexual association or partnership between two people opposed to a holistic sense of
relationship (relationship, n.). I find it interesting that Oxford stated or partnership between
people. In todays society I have noticed the vagueness of the confines of a relationship causing
confusion, this I believe is reflected even through considering a partnership as being a form of
a relationship. The verbiage of partnership being used synonymously with relationship can allow
one mate can think there is more of a commitment than the other based on the way they view
what a partnership is. In my eyes it is important to avoid the term partnership and discuss the
significance of a relationship before delving into one.
Relationship is a stimulating word in relation to my life according to my upbringing,
friendships and views on relationships with significant others. Its constant presence thus far leads
me to think relationships will continue to play a momentous role throughout my matriculation of
life experiences. As I grow I will eventually form a family of my own where I will become a
mother and make certain my children are close to their relatives. Into my late years I am sure I
will make a few friends along the way while also maintaining the relationships I have built with
friends from years prior. And not to mention fulfilling the ultimate relationship I can ask for,

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marriage. Building a strong foundation for the endurance of my marriage will ensure my
husband and I will mend our lives for a prosperous future. As relationships fill every facet in life,
it goes to show we all have them.

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Ayanna Fields
Professor Cuddy
English 101
26 September 2016
Long Live Relationships
Interesting enough, the origin of the noun relationship is derived from English making it
a relatively new word in relation to the age many languages. This fairly new word has
complexities that will leave any word enthusiast wanting to understand its fundamental
breakdowns. The intricacies of relationships frequency, multitude of meanings and etymology
showcases the nouns relevance in todays English speaking societies.
Of eight bands represented in the Oxford English Dictionary, relationship falls at
approximately seven bands when measuring the frequency in which a word is used. When
speaking directly to the English language, relationship is used at the rate of 100 to 1,000 times
per every million English word spoken. This occurrence may seem minute initially, although in
comparison to the average .1 to 1.0 times per every million English word spoken it is a
substantial difference in the amount of times relationship is spoken. This begs the question are
relationships more relevant in English speaking countries than one would imagine?
When considering a question as such, one has to look at in what context is relationship
being used? For many years relationships only usage was to describe The state or fact of being
related; the way in which two things are connected; a connection, an association a kinship so to
speak (relationship, n.). As time quickly progressed, seven years later, a new interpretation was
introduced which subliminally shows the rapid progression of the societies who used the
emergence of the new definition. Relationship quickly transitioned from solely meaning kinship

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to also meaning A connection formed between two or more people or groups based on social
interactions and mutual goals, interests, or feelings (relationships, n.). 230 years later,
relationship has one last addition in the mid 1940s to also be defined as An emotional and
sexual association or partnership between two people (relationship, n.). This final addition
introduced compounds such as relationship: marketing, therapy, selling, managing along with
others, revealing this noun introduced a new aspect to businesses where there initially was a void
in the market. As the latest connotation aroused so did an industry.
Relationship has evolved from meaning kinship to friendship to finally an intimate
situation, with the revolution of the noun it shows how societies have evolved from not only
using the new connotations but also making a profit from it as well. In todays societies there are
businesses that thrive from relationship based services showing there was a need for the
terminology. As relationships apply to various facets of life whether it be family, friends or
significant others it is liable to be used on an everyday basis which reflects the natural rise of
frequency for the usage of the noun. From 1724 into today, relationship has been able to
comfortably fit societal uses, if English is able to upkeep its ability to revamp words according to
language necessities; this word is sure to remain relevant and frequently used. It is only right to
assume long live relationships.

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Bibliography

"Relationship, n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, September 2016. Web. 21 September
2016.

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