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Who Needs A Good Vocabulary?

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by HariLakhera, Jan 7, 2024.

  1. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Finest Post Winner

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    Who needs a good vocabulary?
    I do not know when and how and who compiled words but I am sure we do with a few words. To begin with we did it and now also when nothing much is needed to be said, we do it.
    He is a man of few words. I am sure if it is also said that she is a woman of few words. The reason can be any or many.
    In our day to day life, at home or at work , the words used are good morning, good evening, see you, good night, how are you, what’s up, it’s too cold or hot, it’s raining, not feeling well, why what happened, take this or that, going out, need something, dinner is ready, no interesting program on TV …
    The point is there is no need for unlimited vocabulary. If we closely watch and keep record of words we have spoken in the whole of the week gone, the sum total maybe less than 100.
     
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  2. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    :hello: With limited or restricted vocabulary, it is not easy to cover entire gamut of emotions which includes fair knowledge of local slangs. A narration to get into the heart of the reader certainly requires specific words. The need for rich vocab is determined by the person’s status, class of friends circle and the business that one carries out. Specific dialects needed to display or emote the character pertaining to region, ethos and audience to get lasting impression .

    Vocabulary gets enriched as one grows meet people move in soceity. Arguments would become weak or strong depending upon one’s use of rich vocab. It may be greek & latin to others but onlookers and bystanders would turn standstill and awesome. Powerful vocabulary like Winston Churchill or Ab required for stretegic purpose. Only by speech in chaste Tamil, DMK in then Madras now Chennai trounced and driven away the congress.

    There could be sub divisions. One is functional vocabulary which is needed to carry on with others. This quantum again determined by the life style, geography and calibre of friends . Recognition vocabulary is the one we recognise when we read it in print . A person may know thousands of words of which only a few used in ordinary day to day communication.

    I hv seen couple after the marriage invariably learn words from spouse and enrich their own functional vocabulary and in good time or bad time use it as tit for tat. In internet era writers find it easy to use thesaurus to find synonyms & antonyms and select the perfect word to express the situation. Vocab is different with lots of words abbreviated in internet and in sms messages. Those words have become norms. Students use those words in their school college exams.

    Initially when I went to Bombay, i could note express in Hindi. After persistent efforts i found a minimum of hundred words were adequate to convey or direct the staff but over a period of time i turned capable & confident not only of speaking but could enjoy drama and movies in Hindi. I began even understanding and appreciating hindi lyrics. Kora Kagaz tha yeh man mera
     
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  3. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Finest Post Winner

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    Vocabulary is ever increasing and changing and even dying. Thousands of words are no more in use. Thousands of new words have been added and still counting. It all depends on the profession one follows, the language/s one speaks. H G Wells was famously said to have used not more than 500 words in his writings. Gandhi is said to have used simple words to explain difficult subjects.

    But how many words, we use in our day to day life? This is what I want to discuss. It is not that we are short of words but we are miser in using them at home or in office. How often do we find one praising the other in office? How many times we enter in animated discussions with our family members? Where does that huge vocabulary go?
     
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  4. shyamala1234

    shyamala1234 Platinum IL'ite

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    Dear Hariji,
    In day to day life we do not need a big vocabulary. In speaking, writing simple words are enough to convey our feelings or emotions. Unless we work in a place where big vocabulary is needed. Some have a passion to increase their vocabulary, fine, it's ok. Or while preparing for an exam where big vocabulary is needed. Otherwise we do not need a vocabulary like Shash Tharoor!
    Syamala
     
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  5. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Finest Post Winner

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    Syamalaji,
    There used to be times, when we as family members used to talk and words came automatically. Now, I find it is not the same. Part of it is due to social media that has taken the glamor of family gossips. Now each one is busy and have no time. So, where is the need to have big vocabulary.
    It is altogether in professional capacity. In office also, we used to talk during lunch hours. Now they are busy with their smart phones.
    I guess the tribals have a limited vocabulary.
     
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  6. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Finest Post Winner

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    Syamalaji,
    There used to be times, when we as family members used to talk and words came automatically. Now, I find it is not the same. Part of it is due to social media that has taken the glamor of family gossips. Now each one is busy and have no time. So, where is the need to have big vocabulary.
    It is altogether in professional capacity. In office also, we used to talk during lunch hours. Now they are busy with their smart phones.
    I guess the tribals have a limited vocabulary.
     

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