The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-07-19
How to Read Aloud.


How to Read Aloud.
was led to turn my attention to this
subject by the affiiction which my ears
and mind had 10 suffer and endure when
listening to readers aloud, both in public
and in private. Only now and then does
one experience the pleasure OF hearing
good reader and yet, what wide
spread enjoyment can be afforded by one
such!
Said " myself !" to sine, y livery prob
ably you annoy other peoples ears and
senses, in like manner as they vex yours !;
or if you do not actually torment them,
You probably fail in communicating to
your hearers the full interest and enjoy
ment which every reader ought to be able
toexcite in the minds of the listeners" l
at once resolved to study the matter, and
II need be to amend my ways.
My first object was to notice the partic-
ular defects of the bad readers. Why did
the reading of such person irritate me !?
why did that of another weary mes why
did that of third leave only confused
ideas behind?
On the other hand. what constituted
the special charms of the good reader?
why was it pleasure to listen to him or
to her, SO that one invariably felt disap-
pointed when the book was closed? how
was it that, be the subject what it might,
felt able to understand and to appreciate
it?
And here let me say at the outset that
the possession of q sweet, musical voice,
does not make, nor is it essential for, a
good reader. have listened to people
reading aloud in the most silvcry tones, to
whom have longed to say, Stop, be-
seech you!"
Let me now tell you the result of my
observations.
perceived that distinct utterance and
a perfect pronunciation were very essen
tial. Listen to this description of the
proper articulation of words; "In just
articulation the words are not hurried
over, nor melted together; they are neith-
er abridged nor prolonged; they are not
swallowed, nor are they shot forth from
the mouth, neither are they trailed and
then suffered to drop unfinished; but
they are delivered from the lips as beauti-
full coins are issued from the Mint, deeply
and accurately impressed, neatly struck
by the proper organs, distinct, sharp, per-
/ iCOtiy uuloLCu
Here, then, is the key which opens and
discloses to US the defects and faults of the
reader who irritates and wearies the list
ener because of indistinctness and sloven.
illness at the same time we are shown the
particular aim and attainment of the
reader who pleases the ears of his au.
dltOrs.
How little heed is paid in general to
small words And yet they are worth TAX
ing care of, for the effect is always en-
HANGED by those who punctiliously OBJ.
serve them. Take, for instance, and
how very seldom we hear the last letter,
the 3D." pronounced! 1t is a little word
which comes in over and over again in
every page, but you will observe that
ninety nine readers out of hundred do
not articalate the d''-probably the ma
jority of them are unaware of the omis-
sion; you read this paper and see whether
you are one of the ninety and nine; you
will easily find out whether you have the
bad or the good habit. The word "whol-
ly'' is usually pronounced in very slip
shod manner, and so are YOURSELF"
dare saw" but 1t is unnecessary for me
to enumerate the lengthy string. Every
body knows how these common words
ought to be articulated. so that if every
body would only notice their own pro.
runciation when reading for short time,
they would soon become perfect and have
no occasion to keep watch. / must, how
ever, call attention to words such as
I" charity" " invisible" etc., for the last
III is so continually expelled, and an
"a" put into its place, which certainly
does not improve the beauty of the word.
Also the "o'' in " innocence" "indo-
lence," etc., is not seldom changed into
Grand patience" is not unfrequent-
ly spoken of as "patiunce." Instances
such as these might be mentioned ad in
fnitum; but, as l have said. your own
knowledge and your own ears will point
them out if you ask to be instructed.
Trivial these points may seem, but they
are nevertheless worthy of mention, and
| worthy OF attention.
Very possibly the reader will feel at first
somewhat pedantic in style, when paying
particular attention to all words, great and
small. know that did, fol new habit
never sits with ease; but soon the feeling
disappeared, for practice wore off and
smoothed down the extra efforts which
were observable at the outset.
But it is possible t. articulate perfectly
and yet not 10 be distinct reader. Dis
tinctness in reading is attained mainly by
correct articulation, but not solely. Due
heed must be given to punctuation. Most
people know that the laws of punctuation
demand proper and different observation
of the several stops. l remember that in
my earliest days l was taught to count one
at a comma, two at q semi.colon. three ct Q
colon, and four at full stop. A rigid OBJ
servance of law such as this would, of
course, break into and spoil the interest
of prose and poetry, but it is well to re-
member that some attention should be
paid to these marks. Readers require to
take breath for their exertions, and this
should always be taken at stop. Often
hear people taking it while in the mid
Ole Of a sentence; nay, have heard them
doing 90 in the middle of WORT! This,
of course. involves another stop, which is
an awkward intruder.
II you desire to read quickly and at the
same time TO be ineligible and distinct,
you must read In somewhat stilty fash.
Ion-utter your words glibly, slightly STAG
cato. If you notice 1t, you will hear many
Of those who are called upon toread aloud
in public buildings adopt this style, and 1t
Is partly owing 10 this peculiarly that
every word is heard without the audience
straining their ears to catch them.
have now set forth the necessary re-
quirements for being heard, and under
stood, but that should not be the only aim
in the mind Of him or her who reads
aloud. Listen to some more wise words
which have reference TO this subject:
There Is NO composition in music, how
ever perfect Is TO key or melody, but in
order to do justice TO lis author will re-