Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» Years ago on Answerbag a member said he avoided using "big words" because others wouldn't understand them. Do you?
Years ago on Answerbag a member said he avoided using "big words" because others wouldn't understand them. Do you?
Do you adjust/edit your normal way of speaking because you are so erudite you think others aren't and don't want to offend them or anger them? Why would you think you are so special and above them? I don't get.
No, not really. I will speak in whatever terms that I feel best communicate the message I intend to convey. I speak more carefully to children. To do otherwise is a disservice to my intelligence and to the audience at hand. Call it condescending if you will, but learning “bigger” words should be more incumbent on the listener than dumbing down one’s vocabulary is on the speaker, IMO.
Ditto. With regard to being careful how you speak to children I never changed the words I used when I was talking to my son. That's why he knew what "sufffice" meant when he was three. You see learning begins immediately at birth. I started reading Shakespeare sonnets to him when he was six months old. He'd sit on my lap and I had the book open. I taught him to read at an early age and so he got a library card when he was 3. Today as you may or may not know he is Chair of The Computer and Information Systems Department at a University. I taught him to love reading. That is all parents need to do to ensure success in school for their children. They should also be a good example and devour books along with their kids. Weekly library trips and going to book stores should be part of the norm of every child's life in my opinion. I never talked down to him. He grew up learning the way I normally speak. It worked for me. I think kids are way smarter than we give them credit for and the early years are when they learn most rapidly. Too many parents are lazy and expect teachers to perform miracles when the kid is 6 and starting school. By the age of six it's almost too late. OK. Enough of that! Thank you for your thoughtful reply DB and Happy Saturday to thee! :)
This post was edited by RosieG at October 6, 2018 5:21 AM MDT
Don Barzini 