Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-02-13
Daily 4ru,oerSt and 4lt,ss.
Common Errors IN Speaking.
by ANNA HOPE.

iadise, very expenslvcly dressed. When
the cara stopped, gentleman came to
speak to them. Among other questions
he asked if it was - pretty general
time of health in Cincinnati form OF
enquiry more peculiar than corrcct-and
being assured it was so, he offered his
services to the ladies in any way they
should require. One OF them immedi-
ately opened her satchel and took from
1t silver cup, requesting him to bring
her water. As she handed it TO him she
said, 'it will need to be wrenchcd,' (she
meant rinsed). have not unfrequent-
ly heard washer women use this express
sion, but | was surprised to hear it from
other lips. In my younger days ] al
ways associated education and refine
ment with wealth, and | recollect my
amazcment when first heard INGRAM
NAUTICAL expressions from gentlemen and
ladies, but have grown wiser, and f nd
that correct English is not quite 90 com.
mon as had formerly supposed.
A few hints on pronunciation and
grammar may not be out OF place in the
Agricultural, and they may call the at
tention Of some of its readers to inaccu-
lacies Of their own that have escaped
their attention, and which they would
gladly correct. Different parts Of the
country have different peculiaritics in
minor errors, as well as in more impor-
tant matters, but there are errors which
"know no North or South, or East or
West" There are very few persons
who are perfectly accurate in their use
Of language, and even those who know
better, often err in consequence of wrong
influences in childhood. A New Eng
lander is easily distinguished from q
New Yorker and SO is Southern or a
Western man by pcculiartics Of which
they themselves are unconscious. The
nasal twang' has generally been consid-
cred peculiar to New England, but so far
IS my observation extends, it belongs
equally to other Northern States.
have noticed more Of it out OF New
Eng land than ever heard in it. The
finest, fullest, roundest, most musical
voice ! ever heard is that of lady of
Irish birth who has been educated in
this country. Her words drop like pearls
from her lips.
A common fault in pronunciation is
not sounding the at the end of such
words AS ta'ming, s.oeeping, dusting,
pronouncng them as if spelled farmin,
sUeepi1a, dustin.
Tuesday. student, duty, de,o, due,
.fate, duhe, ne'r, and few other words
which should have the clear sound of u
as in unite, are often pronounced as If
spelled with 90 as Tuesday, stooat"t,
dooty, doc. The proper sound OF u in
these words is one of tho most beautiful
IN the language, and ii seems a pity to
dispense with it, and in its stead make
90 do doubio duty. No one thinks of
calling upon a to relieve 90. We new
er hear of a mans putting on his b,tts,
nor Of his huting at the idea of endeav-
oring to give the correct sound to each
letter.
The uDaccented vowel is too often
dropped ont of words, as satin for satin,
curtin for curtain, suddn for sudden.
When a child, heard member of one
Of the old New York families talk about
to,crs, and whether TO think of it as in
correct, or as something very stylish, |
sarccly knew, but practiced upon the
word till could, in my room, say towl
rs we'll as she, although | did not ven
ture upon it elsewhere.
Ill and 81 are frequently changed in
speaking into IT,. as meddle for medal,
Mortie for mortal.
The aud are sometimes changed
into or u in many words; as quanta-
ty instead Of quantity, crualty for cruel
ty, humanaty for humanity.
-Ftbraary is often pronounced Hbu-
ary,' Prerentiee, preventative; gogern-
meat, government, cupola, cupoio, at
tackled, atackted,. droaoned, drounded,.
umbrella, uaJerel, or un.6ereHa,. rio
ent, roiient; AFRAID, atearea; chimney,
ehimiey; aschacara, otokard:. GRAND,
Grant or arrant, or arrand,; polite,
perlite.
"A very common grammatical error is
the use of them for those. Give me
them peaches Shut them DOORS Open
them windows, instead of Give ne those
peaches etc.
The objective case is sometimes used
for the nominative. Him and me are
going to New York, instead Of 'He aud
! ale going, and the nominative case is
also used for the objective; as Between
you and r. instead of Between YOU
and me- She came to see Mary and
T. instead Of MARY and me-
Who is often used where the object
i've whom is required; as Who did you
see' Who is this for 2 instead of
schom did you see, etc.
These and those are often Incorrectly
used instead of tAis and that DO you
like these kind of spples'' Those kind
of potatoes are watery.' You may like
these apples, and you may like this
kind Of apples, but there is no propri-
ETY. in using the plural these with the
singular kind. Those potatoes may be
watery, but rtat kind of potatoes is
wAtery.'
Vent is often incorrectly used for
gone. as Il should have rent home in
stead Of & should have gone home
Done is used for did,. as Il done it.
for i did it, orI hare done it, He done
it, for 'He did it.'-'Hadn't ought lie
used for ought not
Set is too often used instead Of SIT; as
set down and rest yourself. Set is an
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