Watch your words
I.M. Soni

For those with a healthy ambition to succeed, and a desire to earn the respect of others, the correct use of words is a vital asset. Speech is not merely a matter of accent. A strong regional accent need be no handicap so long as it is correct grammatically. The acid test of speech is in the quality of vocabulary.

A person’s vocabulary is the range of words known. It is not often realised that there are two types, active and passive.

The active one is that used in day-to-day speech. Depending perhaps on the occupation of its user, it is likely to be restricted. Its words will be the common, oft-repeated, over-worked slaves of mundane conversation. Nothing different, sparkling, exciting. Nothing to stir the sense or titillate the imagination.

The passive vocabulary consists of words stored in the mind and rarely used. It is made up of words heard, read in books and newspapers. It is often a surprisingly rich cache of verbal treasure. But it is hidden. The reasons for this are many. Self-consciousness predominantly, or the fear of appearing ridiculous.

Yet, there is nothing more gratifying than a stimulating, fully expressive vocabulary.

Consider two of the words, which are most misusd. "Nice" which one meant exact or fine now. Everything is described as "nice" from a bracing holiday to a sumptuous meal.

"Get" must run a close second. We "get" everything from influenza to a bill.

How does one set about acquiring a wide range of words? Reading is the solution and opportunity has never been more golden. The number of books and journals becomes greater year by year.

For those who prefer listening to reading, there are radio and television. From time to time the best speakers in the country are featured on these media.

Winston Churchill, an accepted master of the English language, records how he developed a taste for unusual words. Often he used them without knowing their exact meaning, but the desire to know drove him to the dictionary.

The definition of a real student is one who makes daily reference to a dictionary. There is a world of truth in this. How easy it is to skip over an unfamiliar word and make no effort to define it.

It behoves one to be careful. A speaker made two gaffes. He meant a fillip, but used "fillet". Then he used the word pacifically instead of specifically. Latter and later are often abused.

Mistakes of this nature are fortunately uncommon. They are easily avoided by more careful reading or listening.

What are the advantages of an extensive active vocabulary?

Speech becomes much more stimulating and lucid. It can be embarrassing listening to the stumbling descriptions of people who have not sufficient words at their disposal. They are like children, only learners. On the other hand, to be able to speak articulately gives great satisfaction.