How important is expanding your vocabulary to you?

primrose777 · Post by **primrose777** » 11 Apr 2012, 07:30

Reading expands my vocabulary, when I come across a word I do not know, I look it up immediately. ( My smart phone is great for that). I have been brought to task on more than one occasion for using "Big Words", but I love learning. I have a work collegue who alo loves " Big words", and we bounce off each other all day. It's not just the word but the context in which you use it is the challenge.

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 11 Apr 2012, 21:41

WOAH. Hold the horses. Are you kidding?

Swearing is extremely important - it is important to use it properly and to enjoy it, like any other turn of phrase. Why is swearing somehow base or below standard?

I totally agree Artdude !!! Of course, I don't say anything worse than "Hecky-Darned" ... BUT I SAY IT WITH GREAT EMOTION!!!!

EDIT: Wait a minute ... I forgot what the thread subject was. Yes, I make lists of words I am not familiar with and even scour the dictionary for them (how sick is THAT?) and then methodically attempt to commit them and their definitions to memory. My vocabulary is getting really .... ummmm.... really ...... ummmm .... [:-I .... ???? .... GOOD !!! yes, "good" was the word I was looking for.

Mack · Post by **Mack** » 14 Apr 2012, 04:50

Expanding my vocabulary is important to me. Not to gain an air of superiority in any way, but as a mode of gathering knowledge on language. I love words and language; they way the entire tone of thoughts and meanings conveyed can be changed by an adeptly chosen word...it may sound a little weird of whimsical mayhap. *shrug*

And sadly, well-rounded vocabularies seem to be a thing of the past with the advent of text-speak.

Santanico · Post by **Santanico** » 14 Apr 2012, 04:54

primrose777 wrote:Reading expands my vocabulary, when I come across a word I do not know, I look it up immediately. ( My smart phone is great for that). I have been brought to task on more than one occasion for using "Big Words", but I love learning. I have a work collegue who alo loves " Big words", and we bounce off each other all day. It's not just the word but the context in which you use it is the challenge.

I'm the same - I've always got a dictionary nearby so I can look up words if I don't know what they mean (even if the meaning is obvious in the context)

One thing I've learned is that you can win many an argument simply by knowing the right words to use

WordFloe · Post by **WordFloe** » 15 Apr 2012, 18:49

I expand mine by reading. Since I'd like to be published some day I think it's important for me to keep a thesaurus handy at all times, and try to read as much of other people's work as possible.

Vocabulary and good grammar (and spelling) are incredibly important. I am a bit dismayed that just because it is an internet environment, people don't bother spell checking or using good spelling or grammar. I actually saw one person post that people shouldn't be judged for their lack of grammar and spelling... But in an environment like this, what else is there besides what you're writing for the world to see?
Personally I think if you want people to take you seriously you have to be able to communicate your ideas, even if you're not a person with a high IQ and an extensive vocabulary.

The Bookaholic · Post by **The Bookaholic** » 16 Dec 2013, 18:10

It is very important for me, I try to read a page of the dictionary or thesaurus every day.

terrametoo · Post by **terrametoo** » 18 Dec 2013, 03:27

It's important to me too, that's why I really like ebooks readers with built-in dictionaries. For example, with Kindle I can look up the unknown word in the dictionary and then highlight the definition. Later I can go back to the dictionary and see a list of all of the words I highlighted to test myself on whether I remember the meaning or not. I'm a big ebook fan.

Nathrad Sheare · Post by **Nathrad Sheare** » 18 Dec 2013, 03:57

I used to think it was one of the most important things in the world. I didn't want to be underprivileged grammatically or linguistically. Now I know that only about a quarter of the dictionary is ever used anymore, so it's best to learn the best way to communicate with whomever you meet and whomever you write for. I'm sure that a board of intellectuals at a college wouldn't mind listening to something read by a student with an ability to use words over a foot long, but most people just don't have all that knowledge under their belt. Besides, the limitations we writers have in this modern world only force us to be more creative, don't you think?

gali · Post by **gali** » 18 Dec 2013, 05:20

Since English is my second language, it is important to me and I do it by reading mostly in English and write here and there.

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 18 Dec 2013, 05:32

Maud Fitch wrote:With the growing acceptability of swear words in the media and entertainment industries, I am making a concerted effort to counteract it by increasing my vocabulary and learning more eloquent words. A quick four-letter curse can suit certain circumstances (I'm not an angel) but in general I think swearing is lazy. Word power works!

Though I am put off by the use of vulgarity in conversation I believe the coarseness of using such language can be mitigated by a reasonable level of politeness. For instance, I was charmed by the response I received from a student I corrected once when he said ... "Your criticism is greatly appreciated. F*uck you very much."

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 18 Dec 2013, 06:41

@DATo
Imagine if you'd used that line to one of the good Sisters: you'd still be serving your detention (at least!)

@Nathrad Sheare
As with so many things, it's not the size of the word that matters so much as having the right word in the right place. The word that exactly conveys your meaning & intention.
IMO that is what a broad vocabulary gives you - the ability to succinctly respond with precision and clarity. All my life I've made a note of new or unusual words I come across during my reading & I love when an opportunity to use them presents itself .. and so much the better if the other party has to go and look up the word. (I know, I can be evil

)

Have you ever had that annoying feeling that you know exactly what you want to say but you can't bring to mind the words to say it? Or even worse, when an hour late the word or words come to mind that would have terminated all argument .. Lord, I hate when that happens.

Nathrad Sheare · Post by **Nathrad Sheare** » 18 Dec 2013, 19:37

I can relate to all your feelings on the subject.

Gustave Flaubert was famous, even notorious for his obsession with finding the right word. I think it's funny that when you're in conversation with someone and you can't think of a word, they have the inclination to start listing one suggestion after another... until you both shrug your shoulders and move on because of your insistence that none of the options is good enough.

Funny...

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 18 Dec 2013, 19:58

Fran wrote:@DATo
Imagine if you'd used that line to one of the good Sisters: you'd still be serving your detention (at least!) :)

If I had used that line on the "good" sisters I'd have been hung over the chalkboard ... on a cross ... in my undies ... next to Jesus.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 18 Dec 2013, 20:05

My frustration comes with the spoken word sometimes. You know when you know the word you want in print but you're sketchy about how it's pronounced? My French is an abomination so people who toss French phrases around make me want to hide...