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Show Purity of Language Comparatively few people speak correctly at all times; they fall into a careless habit of talking, and use the slag of the day probably, until they [paper is folded and illegible] Have almost forgotten how to [paper is folded and illegible] the English language with propriety, A vast amount of slang is in daily use. It is the common spice in the talk of those who decline to use profane expressions, as common as cinnamon or nutmeg in apple pie. We hear it on the street, in the drawing-room, and sometimes in the pulpit. With slang a great deal of dialect talk has become mixed in our common speed. This is no valid objection to dialect talk if we don't have too much of it. We know a teacher whose whole stock of wit was invested in the use of funny negro talk, and she carried it so far that shed used in unconsciously on all occasions, and the "ion" was lost. No one should indulge In pleasantries of this sort if by them their language must suffer..It is a reproach to us that the purest English is spoken by educated foreigners. It may be that even they speak as much slang and bad grammar in their own tongue as we do in ours, but it is a pleasure to hear from their lips the unadulterated, well-composed English that "sounds like a book." Many persons haven't the courage to speak correctly when those around them speak incorrectly. It seems like affectation of superiority. As well might one refuse to keep clean in the midst of dirty people to keep pure amid vicious surrounding, to keep honest among thieves. The principle is the same. When we set out to attain excellence in any one branch we must of necessity disregard all unreasonable adverse criticism. If my friend laughs at me for being a purist in speech, he is welcome to the laugh. I have the best of it in the speech. Fine language, like fine manners, should never be out of fashion. |