The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-12-27
Pure English on the Tongue.

new group Of language reformers
propose to doctor up English as she is
spoke" They set to work in very
modest way and their programme is
to study spoken English. At a recent
meeting of the society it was urged
upon lecturers actors and teachers to
labor to preserve the traditions of pure
speech. The language formerly had
effective safeguards in the traditions
of the pulpit, the bar and among men
In public life generally, who preserved
a more or less cultivated form Of pop
ular oratory. Formerly the theater was
also a conservative agency in the mat
ter of pure speech. Standards Of pro-
nunciation were pure and inviolable
because the players were forced by
custom to adhere to a dignifed and
classical text Even though cultured
people were in the minority in the au-
dience, the stage folk expected to face
the fire of their criticism and delivered
their lines accordingly.
Decadence in our manner Of speak
ing has often been commented upon
and the blame placed upon the fire.
quent use Of slang and the desire to be
emphatic or picturesque at all times.
No doubt there is truth in this. The
uncOuth language of the sailor and the
backwoodsman has forced its way up
ward because of a certain freshness
and strength not to be put into classic
al forms. Dialect has also had it's con-
fusing effect upon speech meant by the
speakers to be correct. Still another
form of corruption, and that the most
insidious of all, may perhaps be found
In the printed page now read almost
universally. Reading has largely taken
the place Of conversation as a pastime.
The printed word gives the correct
form to the eye, but stops with that.
For the medication of pure speech the
ear must first be trained and that can
only be done when the boy and girl are
forming habits of speech and hear good
language. Parents speak hastily and
depend upon teachers to give their chill
dren correct models. But, as the new
society declares, correct speaking is
matter for study 1t cannot be picked
up from newspapers and books, neither
at vaudeville and musical shows,
where eccentric RECOMMENDATIONS often
help develop the fun, and no two per-
formers pronounce the important words
alike. Serious and sober conversation
in which the English language is used
as the vehicle for beautiful, entertain
ing and impressive thought is the best
training for pure speech, and it must
be persisted in year after year. To-
day correct speech is so rare in many
circles that the sound of 1t is so novel
as to be entertaining, whatever the sub
ject involved.
A class standard OF speech Is not
broad enough for America, but it is
better than nothing, and it is the only
practical beginning. II correct speel.l
were recognized as the criterion ar
standard of education it would c.
more to promote reform than anything
else, because more Americans strive
for education than for any other sin
gle object save wealth. 1t has never
been possible to make correct speech
such standard heretofore because so
many highly educated Americans speak
in something closely approaching dia-
lect The recognition Of the need Of a
common standard among such people
seems to have begun, and 1t is time.