Quote:
Originally Posted by iansales  And "vacillate" is a word I might use when writing. But it's not one I'd use myself in conversation. |
I certainly would, although probably not if I was talking about the weather.
And I think we probably have different definitions for "conversation" and "specialized vocabulary." Under conversation I include the discussions we have here. (So, now that I think of it, you
have used the word virgule in conversation.)
And look at someone like Chris: If he knows a word, he just uses it. His active vocabulary and his passive vocabulary are practically identical. It was the same for me at one time. Then I started working in retail, which is something of a melting pot in terms of education and background, and found out how many reasonably intelligent adults hadn't a clue to what I was talking about a lot of the time. Since I didn't want them to think I was showing off (also, I grew weary of explaining myself), I simplified my vocabulary. Now I think it was a bad idea; I should have just been myself, and they could like me or not, just as they chose.
I suppose my point is, writers should be themselves, too -- but they should be their most articulate and eloquent selves.