We say that someone has a notion about a matter when they have a vague and insufficient idea about it. In a second meaning, having a notion of something implies that one has a general knowledge of a subject. In any case, in both senses reference is made to an elementary and little elaborated form of knowledge.
The knowledge process in any activity
When we learn something new, we become familiar with the essential aspects of an area or activity. If we think about learning to read, the child begins by studying the letters and their sounds and gradually is able to read; first single words and later small texts. In this initial phase, the child has some notions, that is, he knows some basic tools (for example, the alphabet) but he is not yet capable of carrying out an elaborate reading. Thus, when we start an activity, we only handle its primary tools and we say that we have some notions, which can be of a foreign language, gardening, drawing, guitar, or any other activity in which there is a gradual process of learning.
By gaining some skill and ability in an area, we stop being a beginner or an amateur and become someone gifted who can become a highly qualified professional. In fact, when it is indicated that a person is a professional, it is affirming that this individual knows a subject well and, therefore, his knowledge goes beyond mere notions.
The trend towards specialization
Continuing with the learning process of any area or activity, there is a general scheme:
1) initial phase in which rudimentary notions are available,
2) consolidation of knowledge and
3) definitive specialization.
Let us illustrate this scheme with the example of the medical profession:
1) the university student has some notions of medicine,
2) the acquired knowledge is consolidated and
3) a doctor cannot know all of medicine as a whole and needs to specialize in a specific branch.
Having notions of something is an important step but it is not enough
The most complex activity that we can imagine starts in a very basic way. In most cases, in a short time it is possible to have some notions about any subject. However, some notions are of little use.
Consider an English student who knows a little grammar, has a small vocabulary (eg 500 words), and understands a simple conversation only if spoken to very slowly. In this case, it could be said that said student has a few notions of English, with which it is possible to handle the language in a very limited and insufficient way.
Photos: Fotolia – Sergey Nivens / Africa Studio
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