The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-02-27

ity, fiuency and accuracy in speech. Still we know that the number who strive to transmute this wish into reality is negligible. This disability may be attributed to the absence of some specific mode of attack against the wall of trite speech and vocabulary building considered not a mere ramification but an integral mere ramification but an integral part of our language, the leXical products of our educational institu- tionS would be incredibly superior both in number and worth to those we are sending into the world to- day.
 An effective vocabulary is not legacy; it is not something handed down from ftaher to son. Rather it is an accomplishment which may be had by anyone who desires it and is willing to put forth mod icum of concentrated effort to achieve it. There are countless thousands who possess enviable passive yocabularies. that is, who know the meanings of a multiplic- ity of words which confront them in their reading. While this is an admirable asset, 1t can be enhanced by the ability to incorporate such words in the active or speaking vocabularies. The most efficacious remedy for persons in this category is to hear themselves use these words in their conversation. It may necessitate using them artifi- cally or affectedly for the first two or three times, but even this prac- tice will have salutary effect.
 Occasionally, I find some mem- bers of my vocabulary classes for teachers misconstrue the funda- mental purport of such work. They seem to think the primary object Is to use long words, words beyond the comprehension of their audi ence. This is erroneous. The primal object of these classes is to enable the members to acquire a reservoir of words which they may tap in order to obtain terms that will clearly and adequately clothe. their thoughts and ideas and ob- viate that hesitancy of speech which characterizes the delivery of many of our educated people.
 What other inherent good is there in vocabulary building? You know, as well as I, that a teachers and students most formidable foe in addressing an audience, is dlfi1dence, elf-consciousness or nervousness. Call it by as many names as you wish. in the final analysis they are all reducibIe to one, fear. He shudders at the thought of being obliged to grope for words, at his inability to grasp the right word with the necessary celerity. and he feels that there will be subsequent ridicule and condemnation. If there is any thing that will effect the demolition or self-consciousness, it is a reason ably large vocabulary. When this mas been acquired, it will readily Do seen that there is only gos- samer web separating confidence rom fear and that as soon as. this IS torn asunder. one is permitted 10 add without end to his supply of 
 we often hear that silence is golden. This is true when it is n question of garrulity or yapor-lik 1 For driving home an | dea and for praiseworthy and defi | nite ends, speech is indispensable, Ieachers and students. inasmuch as they are not constrained to take n | VOW or silence. should strive to inn | prove and increase their vocabu- | aries.
 From my experience of more 1 nan twelve years with classes of ,,eaehers, business peoplc.a nd stu l iehts or every rank. l can say that 1 'nere are few subjects that hold 1, he interest as tennc ncIou,I,. o. .L 'tudy of words. Why? Because .hey arc tools which everyone, no matter what bis station in life may pe. cah use daily to hls profit and 'htIsfaction. And once this vocabu. ary seed Is planted. it will gcrmI. illie with fightning rnpldity and ron it Will rlso q perennial plant nnt VIII grow i'm power and rnuiy,"
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