The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-02-10
L E A R N
To Speak Correctly
u IL Misfortune 90 Grow Go
Maturity without Acquiring the
Habit, mt Least. Of Correct
speech.
BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.


T~lo THE person reared in home
whore correct language IL
used and accustomed TO hear
the rules OF grammar observ-
ed, IL Is an absolute pain, ike
blow or wound, To hear ingram.
matical language.
manners or vices. bad grammar Is, OF
course, small offence; but that does
not place IL among the virtues.
Ii Is a misfortune when a man or
woman grows to maturity without
having acquired the habit, IL not the
rules, OF correct speech.
Therefore, l can understand how =
woman who has become fond OF good
and worthy man who adores her, hest
tates at the thought of becoming his
life associate when he breaks tho
laws of grammar with almost every
sentence uttered
The musician with finely attuned
ear might hesitate in the same way at
thought OF companionship with one
who sat down each day and struck dis
cords on some instrument or continu-
ally sang ont OF key
In case now under discussion, how
shortcomings as a grammarian, and
declares he will take up the study or
grammar with ten-year-old children, If
necessary. and continue 1t for the re-
mainder OF his life, until he learns
TO speak correctly, IL the woman he
loves will consent to be his wife. -
This shows an admirable courage
and worthwhile character. A woman
4 ~ knw .xNxx h
man her aid and encouragement along
with her heart.
II would be an excellent thing for
the two to read aloud the best Amer
lean and English authors, and for the
man 10 write page OF good English
literature daily, copying It from some
book or play.
Let his lady love write down half q
dozen of the sentences in which he
most frequently trips ana explain I'd
him the proper way OF forming these
phrases, and let him heed the CONVEX
sation OF others and make mental
notes.
II is most difficult TO master the
school books after the mind has ma
tured. but correct speech can be ac-
quired by study OF good authors and
listening to the conversation OF the
educated. and making notes OF the ex-
pressions they employ.
| Ii ought to be part of every
mothers duty and pleasure to urge her
children to the use OF good language.
L. she has been deprived of education
she should ask her children TO correct
her gently when they learn how to
apply the rules OF grammar TO con-
versation, and thus the home life
would supplement the school.
| An hour given each evening at
home to good-natured criticism OF
pronunciation and expression. with
the assistance OF grammar and a die
tionary, would lead to lifelong BENEFITS
! for all concerned
! Ii is an important part OF life--this
matter OF language. We must com
municate with one another by speech.
and we ought TO take pride in using
choice and correct phraseology.
| We ought to feel sense OF shame.
In this age OF free schools and librar-
les and schools OF correspondence. To
use slipshod and ungrammatieal Ian.
guage.
A little study, little application.
little reading and observation and we
can correct the faults OF speech we
may have fallen into through lack OF
early schooling or lack of proper at
tention. And the man who In his
prime Is ready to begin the study OF
grammar to please the ear of his lady
love ought to win his suit