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Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton  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. |
I agree with that.
I still enjoy it when a good author uses words that arent usual cause then you learn new words even if you will never use it in a conseravation.
Specially since i use 0% english offline.
Also its always much more fun to see words you didnt know of used well in a sentence.
Have you read Jack Vance ? I found his books to be full of strange words to me atleast like the word you mentioned for the monkey. Having read him enough and checked up what the words mean now i can read him perfectly without a dictionary.
I will take that over an author who triest dumb it down with too simple words for readers like the ones you mentioned.
Specially in SF where its usually about strange worlds and concepts you cant use slang or simple english. I want refined english then.
I didnt have much respect or use for english really before i started reading so much. I didnt need english other than for school really.
Then with great writers i saw the quality of it used well.