You can't do that way when you're flying words.
"Careful with fire," is good advice we know,
"Careful with words," is ten times doubly so.
Thoughts unexpressed many sometimes fall back dead;
But God Himself can't kill them when they're said.
—Will Carleton, The First Settler's Story.
The term "vocabulary" has a special as well as a general meaning. True, all vocabularies are grounded in the everyday words of the language, out of which grow the special vocabularies, but each such specialized1 group possesses a number of words of peculiar2 value for its own objects. These words may be used in other vocabularies also, but the fact that they are suited to a unique order of expression marks them as of special value to a particular craft or calling.
In this respect the public speaker differs not at all from the poet, the novelist, the scientist, the traveler. He must add to his everyday stock, words of value for the public presentation of thought. "A study of the discourses3 of effective orators4 discloses the fact that they have a fondness for words signifying power, largeness, speed, action, color, light, and all their opposites. They frequently employ words expressive5 of the various emotions. Descriptive words, adjectives used in fresh relations with nouns, and apt epithets6, are freely employed. Indeed, the nature of public speech permits the use of mildly exaggerated words which, by the time they have reached the hearer's judgment7, will leave only a just impression."[32]
Form the Book-Note Habit
To possess a word involves three things: To know its special and broader meanings, to know its relation to other words, and to be able to use it. When you see or hear a familiar word used in an unfamiliar8 sense, jot9 it down, look it up, and master it. We have in mind a speaker of superior attainments10 who acquired his vocabulary by noting all new words he heard or read. These he mastered and put into use. Soon his vocabulary became large, varied11, and exact. Use a new word accurately12 five times and it is yours. Professor Albert E. Hancock says: "An author's vocabulary is of two kinds, latent and dynamic: latent—those words he understands; dynamic—those he can readily use. Every intelligent man knows all the words he needs, but he may not have them all ready for active service. The problem of literary diction consists in turning the latent into the dynamic." Your dynamic vocabulary is the one you must especially cultivate.
In his essay on "A College Magazine" in the volume, Memories and Portraits, Stevenson shows how he rose from imitation to originality13 in the use of words. He had particular reference to the formation of his literary style, but words are the raw materials of style, and his excellent example may well be followed judiciously14 by the public speaker. Words in their relations are vastly more important than words considered singly.
Whenever I read a book or a passage that particularly pleased me, in which a thing was said or an effect rendered with propriety15, in which there was either some conspicuous16 force or some happy distinction in the style, I must sit down at once and set myself to ape that quality. I was unsuccessful, and I knew it; and tried again, and was again unsuccessful, and always unsuccessful; but at least in these vain bouts17 I got some practice in rhythm, in harmony, in construction and co?rdination of parts.
I have thus played the sedulous18 ape to Hazlitt, to Lamb, to Wordsworth, to Sir Thomas Browne, to Defoe, to Hawthorne, to Montaigne.
That, like it or not, is the way to learn to write; whether I have profited or not, that is the way. It was the way Keats learned, and there never was a finer temperament19 for literature than Keats'.
It is the great point of these imitations that there still shines beyond the student's reach, his inimitable model. Let him try as he please, he is still sure of failure; and it is an old and very true saying that failure is the only highroad to success.
Form the Reference-Book Habit
Do not be content with your general knowledge of a word—press your study until you have mastered its individual shades of meaning and usage. Mere20 fluency21 is sure to become despicable, but accuracy never. The dictionary contains the crystallized usage of intellectual giants. No one who would write effectively dare despise its definitions and discriminations. Think, for example, of the different meanings of mantle22, or model, or quantity. Any late edition of an unabridged dictionary is good, and is worth making sacrifices to own.
Books of synonyms23 and antonyms24—used cautiously, for there are few perfect synonyms in any language—will be found of great help. Consider the shades of meanings among such word-groups as thief, peculator25, defaulter, embezzler26, burglar, yeggman, robber, bandit, marauder, pirate, and many more; or the distinctions among Hebrew, Jew, Israelite, and Semite. Remember that no book of synonyms is trustworthy unless used with a dictionary. "A Thesaurus of the English Language," by Dr. Francis A. March, is expensive, but full and authoritative27. Of smaller books of synonyms and antonyms there are plenty.[33]
Study the connectives of English speech. Fernald's book on this title is a mine of gems28. Unsuspected pitfalls29 lie in the loose use of and, or, for, while, and a score of tricky30 little connectives.
Word derivations are rich in suggestiveness. Our English owes so much to foreign tongues and has changed so much with the centuries that whole addresses may grow out of a single root-idea hidden away in an ancient word-origin. Translation, also, is excellent exercise in word-mastery and consorts31 well with the study of derivations.
Phrase books that show the origins of familiar expressions will surprise most of us by showing how carelessly everyday speech is used. Brewer's "A Dictionary of Phrase, and Fable," Edwards' "Words, Facts, and Phrases," and Thornton's "An American Glossary," are all good—the last, an expensive work in three volumes.
A prefix32 or a suffix33 may essentially34 change the force of the stem, as in master-ful and master-ly, contempt-ible and contempt-uous, envi-ous and envi-able. Thus to study words in groups, according to their stems, prefixes35, and suffixes36 is to gain a mastery over their shades of meaning, and introduce us to other related words.
Do not Favor one Set or Kind of Words more than Another
"Sixty years and more ago, Lord Brougham, addressing the students of the University of Glasgow, laid down the rule that the native (Anglo-Saxon) part of our vocabulary was to be favored at the expense of that other part which has come from the Latin and Greek. The rule was an impossible one, and Lord Brougham himself never tried seriously to observe it; nor, in truth, has any great writer made the attempt. Not only is our language highly composite, but the component37 words have, in De Quincey's phrase, 'happily coalesced38.' It is easy to jest at words in -osity and -ation, as 'dictionary' words, and the like. But even Lord Brougham would have found it difficult to dispense39 with pomposity40 and imagination."[34]
The short, vigorous Anglo-Saxon will always be preferred for passages of special thrust and force, just as the Latin will continue to furnish us with flowing and smooth expressions; to mingle41 all sorts, however, will give variety—and that is most to be desired.
Discuss Words With Those Who Know Them
Since the language of the platform follows closely the diction of everyday speech, many useful words may be acquired in conversation with cultivated men, and when such discussion takes the form of disputation as to the meanings and usages of words, it will prove doubly valuable. The development of word-power marches with the growth of individuality.
Search Faithfully for the Right Word
Books of reference are tripled in value when their owner has a passion for getting the kernels42 out of their shells. Ten minutes a day will do wonders for the nut-cracker. "I am growing so peevish43 about my writing," says Flaubert. "I am like a man whose ear is true, but who plays falsely on the violin: his fingers refuse to reproduce precisely44 those sounds of which he has the inward sense. Then the tears come rolling down from the poor scraper's eyes and the bow falls from his hand."
The same brilliant Frenchman sent this sound advice to his pupil, Guy de Maupassant: "Whatever may be the thing which one wishes to say, there is but one word for expressing it, only one verb to animate45 it, only one adjective to qualify it. It is essential to search for this word, for this verb, for this adjective, until they are discovered, and to be satisfied with nothing else."
Walter Savage46 Landor once wrote: "I hate false words, and seek with care, difficulty, and moroseness47 those that fit the thing." So did Sentimental48 Tommy, as related by James M. Barrie in his novel bearing his hero's name as a title. No wonder T. Sandys became an author and a lion!
Tommy, with another lad, is writing an essay on "A Day in Church," in competition for a university scholarship. He gets on finely until he pauses for lack of a word. For nearly an hour he searches for this elusive49 thing, until suddenly he is told that the allotted50 time is up, and he has lost! Barrie may tell the rest:
Essay! It was no more an essay than a twig51 is a tree, for the gowk had stuck in the middle of his second page. Yes, stuck is the right expression, as his chagrined52 teacher had to admit when the boy was cross-examined. He had not been "up to some of his tricks;" he had stuck, and his explanations, as you will admit, merely emphasized his incapacity.
He had brought himself to public scorn for lack of a word. What word? they asked testily53; but even now he could not tell. He had wanted a Scotch54 word that would signify how many people were in church, and it was on the tip of his tongue, but would come no farther. Puckle was nearly the word, but it did not mean so many people as he meant. The hour had gone by just like winking55; he had forgotten all about time while searching his mind for the word.
The other five [examiners] were furious.... "You little tattie doolie," Cathro roared, "were there not a dozen words to wile56 from if you had an ill-will to puckle? What ailed57 you at manzy, or—"
"I thought of manzy," replied Tommy, woefully, for he was ashamed of himself, "but—but a manzy's a swarm58. It would mean that the folk in the kirk were buzzing thegither like bees, instead of sitting still."
"Even if it does mean that," said Mr. Duthie, with impatience59, "what was the need of being so particular? Surely the art of essay-writing consists in using the first word that comes and hurrying on."
"That's how I did," said the proud McLauchlan [Tommy's successful competitor]....
"I see," interposed Mr. Gloag, "that McLauchlan speaks of there being a mask of people in the church. Mask is a fine Scotch word."
"I thought of mask," whimpered Tommy, "but that would mean the kirk was crammed60, and I just meant it to be middling full."
"Flow would have done," suggested Mr. Lonimer.
"Flow's but a handful," said Tommy.
"Curran, then, you jackanapes!"
"Curran's no enough."
Mr. Lorrimer flung up his hands in despair.
Mr. Ogilvy, who had been hiding his admiration62 with difficulty, spread a net for him. "You said you wanted a word that meant middling full. Well, why did you not say middling full—or fell mask?"
"Yes, why not?" demanded the ministers, unconsciously caught in the net.
"I wanted one word," replied Tommy, unconsciously avoiding it.
"You jewel!" muttered Mr. Ogilvy under his breath, but Mr. Cathro would have banged the boy's head had not the ministers interfered63.
"It is so easy, too, to find the right word," said Mr. Gloag.
"It's no; it's difficult as to hit a squirrel," cried Tommy, and again Mr. Ogilvy nodded approval.
And then an odd thing happened. As they were preparing to leave the school [Cathro having previously64 run Tommy out by the neck], the door opened a little and there appeared in the aperture65 the face of Tommy, tear-stained but excited. "I ken66 the word now," he cried, "it came to me a' at once; it is hantle!"
Mr. Ogilvy ... said in an ecstasy67 to himself, "He had to think of it till he got it—and he got it. The laddie is a genius!"
QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
1. What is the derivation of the word vocabulary?
2. Briefly68 discuss any complete speech given in this volume, with reference to (a) exactness, (b) variety, and (c) charm, in the use of words.
3. Give original examples of the kinds of word-studies referred to on pages 337 and 338.
4. Deliver a short talk on any subject, using at least five words which have not been previously in your "dynamic" vocabulary.
5. Make a list of the unfamiliar words found in any address you may select.
6. Deliver a short extemporaneous69 speech giving your opinions on the merits and demerits of the use of unusual words in public speaking.
7. Try to find an example of the over-use of unusual words in a speech.
8. Have you used reference books in word studies? If so, state with what result.
9. Find as many synonyms and antonyms as possible for each of the following words: Excess, Rare, Severe, Beautiful, Clear, Happy, Difference, Care, Skillful, Involve, Enmity, Profit, Absurd, Evident, Faint, Friendly, Harmony, Hatred70, Honest, Inherent.
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1
specialized
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| adj.专门的，专业化的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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discourses
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| 论文( discourse的名词复数 )； 演说； 讲道； 话语 | |
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orators
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| n.演说者，演讲家( orator的名词复数 ) | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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jot
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| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
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attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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bouts
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| n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作 | |
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sedulous
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| adj.勤勉的，努力的 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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fluency
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| n.流畅，雄辩，善辩 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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synonyms
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| 同义词( synonym的名词复数 ) | |
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antonyms
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| 反义词( antonym的名词复数 ) | |
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peculator
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| n.挪用公款者 | |
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embezzler
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| n.盗用公款者，侵占公款犯 | |
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authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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pitfalls
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| （捕猎野兽用的）陷阱( pitfall的名词复数 )； 意想不到的困难，易犯的错误 | |
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tricky
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| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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consorts
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| n.配偶( consort的名词复数 )；（演奏古典音乐的）一组乐师；一组古典乐器；一起v.结伴( consort的第三人称单数 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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prefix
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| n.前缀；vt.加…作为前缀；置于前面 | |
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suffix
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| n.后缀；vt.添后缀 | |
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essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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prefixes
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| n.前缀( prefix的名词复数 )；人名前的称谓；前置代号（置于前面的单词或字母、数字） | |
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suffixes
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| n.后缀，词尾( suffix的名词复数 ) | |
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component
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| n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的 | |
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coalesced
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| v.联合，合并( coalesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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pomposity
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| n.浮华；虚夸；炫耀；自负 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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kernels
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| 谷粒( kernel的名词复数 )； 仁； 核； 要点 | |
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peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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animate
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| v.赋于生命，鼓励；adj.有生命的，有生气的 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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moroseness
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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52
chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
testily
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| adv. 易怒地, 暴躁地 | |
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scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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wile
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| v.诡计，引诱；n.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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ailed
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| v.生病( ail的过去式和过去分词 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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extemporaneous
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| adj.即席的，一时的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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