The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-09-04
LADY'S SPEECH SHOWS s VI \
HER CLASS AND BREEDING
~ PRUDENCE sTANDlsH, G,

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S BY her choice Of language is q lady
D first known. So, I'd ,.s.*
Let us begin with the word LADY
itself. It Is a much ill-used and by
no means appreciated noun. for whom
i correctly employed, is expresses an
essence no other word can so quickly
convey. 49, +., NJ
In America a lady is an educated
person Of perfect social tone, who
4 gives in DRESS language and kindness
Of heart ain ipstantaneous impression
Of class or breeding. The heart opens
to sympathy and understanding is as
necessary for ladyhood as anything
else, for no flinty-hearted baing Of
either sex is over-honored by the ap-
pellative "gentlewoman," or gentle
man." Hence, to call the average man
or woman Of ones acquaintance by
y these honorable names is toshow our
inefficiency in the matter Of language.
II However, the phrases, ''She Is a..
LADY, "She is perfect lady," are not
often employed by persons Of pune
tilious speech. "She Is fine woman"
Is far more usually heard, and In this
case the LADY" is understood.
ELEGANT is another exquisite word
enormously misapplled. Elegant <desig-
mates the finer qualities Of person or
object. A dress of rare color make
and material may be elegant; a grand
lady's or. gentleman's manner elegant.
But we cannot have an elegant tins"
or "eat an elegant dinner; for enjoy
ment means a pleasant or an unpleas-
ant time, and good or a bod dinner,
though the manner of serving the lat
ter, all the table appointments and the
department Of the hostess may be emf
nently elegant.
TASTY is a rock upon which the
most pleasing aspirant to social hon
or may be shattered. This abomin-
able word, which Is most often applied
to food, has no legitimate place in the,
Euglish language. One says a dish is
"appetizing," not tasty" so turn your
memory away from the word when you
see it; for though cooking recipes may
give it, it is tabooed by polite society.
A splendid English authority on the
propriety of speech gives the follow
ing simple rules:
Always select words calculated to
give an exact impression of your
meaning.
Let your articulation be easy, clear,
correct in accent, and suited in tone
and emphasis to your discourse.
Avoid muttering, suffering, gut
teural or lisping pronunciation.
Let your voice be preferably low and
quiet and eschew garrulous propen-
sity. Great takers, unless Of surpass-
ing wisrom, or Of delightful delivery,
are generally great bores.
Beware Of such vulgar interpretations
as 'you know you see," II tell you
what" etc. . )" = '", ''' >. :
Pay a strict regard to all the rules
of grammar even in the most intimate
and private conversation, for a bad
habit once caught is difficult to over
come. '''~ j ''',' K "
Above all, let your conversation be
intellectual, graceful chaste, discreet,
edifying, profitable and kind.
In this simple and short list is com
prised al, the fundamentals Of correct
speech, for If one follows the rules of
grammar and avoids coarse, unkind
and Improbable discussion, speech
cannot help wearin gthe right stamp.
One is never too old to acquire the
right methods Of speech, and little
cultivation in this respect is nothing
to blush for. Correct language, with
a certain elegance of delivery, are
magnificent weapons for business and
social success, and they are edged tools
besides, for warding off vulgar and
undesirable acquaintance. The wom-
an who says dandy" with every
a every breath, who talks of "fellers, .
who says sure and commits dozen
other sins Of rhetoric, has no fondness
/. for the one Of well-bred speech and
noble thought.
Water seeks its level, and so while