The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-04
Unpleasant
Voices Need
PromptCare
BY DIR. L. K. HIRsHBERG.

~ visited TINS Country IN tho
wv last century he found that
the nasal twang and SLOW
eniy enunciation of many of the peo-
pls he met was too much for him.
When he returned home. In a sincere,
friendly and honest manner. he poked
much fun at Il.
People who have rough, raucous,
rasping voices rarely realize the fact.
a prominent physician says that lit
tie. II anything, has been done to cor
rect the, American voice." which mo
amount or depth OF patriotism can
so anaesthetise our ears that they
will md II musical"
No suggestion OF surgical treatment
H. made, but merely that the education
Of children in proper articulation be
made compulsory. Indifference and
lack of proper training are blamed
for the habit Of siufring. clipping.
and muddling syllables. This physi-
clan also urges that 'oniy teachers be
appointed who have clear voices and
enunciate distinctly.
Where Sounds Are Made.
I know one teacher of English. a poet
Of national reputation. whose enuncia-
ton 10 most slovenly. She speaks like
a Choctow Indian and scolds her high
school girls in thrill. piercing voice.
There 10 as much music In her voice
and a. much clearness in her syllables
a. there 10 In Bedlam. Her voice jars
you AZ does the noise Of an 1886 one
cylinder olivier" rolling over q cobble-
stone street.
Otherwise, she In, academically speak
ing, q good teacher Of English. I'm
fortunately her~pupils initiate her voice.
careless methods OF speech as they will
be to these entreaties to cultivate q
melodious, distinctly pronounced. clear
cut enunciation.
the upper part of the windpipe just be-
low the back end of the tongue. These
noises or melodies, as the case may be,
are made by the force Of the air be-
ese1 voca Ds hess o, oesa
can be made pleasing. sweet melody by
open nostrils. a clean mouth, fine teeth,
and well nodded lips and tongue. I'm
less all these are in good tone your
music. II you are not careful and de-
liberate In childhood and youth in the
selection of syllables and words as well
quire that unwelcome habit Of slurring
and biting on more words than you
can chew"
Imitation and mimicry teach you to
talk. Speech Is largely learned from
parents. grandparents and those around
you In childhood. Few escape this early
bondage throughout their future life.
despite q university education. Only
the deaf may escape this, II they learn
to talk at a school for the deaf.
Failures Often Due to Voices.
Lisping Is only q more pronounced
and exaggerated carelessness of enun-
citation. Sometimes It really owes its
origin to anatomical peculiarities Of
the palate. the tongue. tho teeth or
the other vocal structures. Often II
results from baby talk" mimtcry
Few persons with poor speech may
not have any mechanical throat OF
tongue troubles. some parents a tns
anatomy for indistinct speech. anc
thus fail to take the time and trouble
to correct the fault
II some parents who ley out larS,
would expend half OF this in trainint
them to speak plainly and with melo'
dious enunctation, a much petter en-
dowment as well as an accompany r,n,
heritage upon their offspring.
II you humble your words, chop
stick them. and leap over them as
stag does from crag to crag. thos'
derstand you or fully appreciate YOU
capabilities. I know a young mai
who was resigned" from the Nava
Academy; a bank clerk. who wa,
failed several times in business;
young woman whose engagement wa
broken. and many others, who. thinl
that fate has kept them down TheI
certainly due to the choppy. hast!
muddled way they have OF speaking
otherwise good English.
Copyright. 1915. Newspaper Feature Service.