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Show , iisf-U-'H- my:- - - y Mf: flic Salt Cake gfilmnc n? ?f , o mm i for and about the younger set proper word usage keeping up with a changinii language by Kitte Turmell E COLOGY, which has gained recent popularity as a word, is used by most people as a synonym of environment. Its not. Ecology is a technical term that pertains to the relationship between living organisms and their environment. So states Professor Roy H. Copperud of the School of Journalism at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, who has authored three books dealing with proper word usage. If ecology continues to be used as a synonym of environment, the new dictionary editions will recognize it as such. Correct English usage is not a matter of revealed truth. If a word is misused enough, it will eventually be accepted in the misused meaning. Even the experts often change their minds on the proper use of a word. Whether like rather than as in the widely criticized cigarette slogan is acceptable has beer studied by the professor. He has analyzed the recommendations set forth in nine of the most popular reference works and has found the majority of authorities actually now consider like acceptable. UNTIL a languagein becomes embalmed books, as Latin is, it will continually change. Even in ancient Rome, language critics were complaining about words taking on new meaning and slang terms being used. Slang expressions have existed always among young people. Its an expression of their exuberance and vitality. More of these words are in existence now because teenagers are more articulate than ever. The use of slang also serves as n way to identify and easily with ingroup. Its hard to say how slang originates. Somebody thinks up a word and uses it. It catches the fancy of other people. Then it appears in print or is broadcast and then everybody seems to be saying it. The only truly new words that have come into the language are words that have been coined to describe new inventions or technical advances. Laser, as in laser beam, is a new word. Of course there arc old words, such as charisma, that become very popular all of a sudden. the trends today is toward shorter and words in speech Prof. print, Copperud asserts. Even novelists are using this punchy lan-- g u a g e which includes shorter words and sentences and sentence fragmentation. As Shakespeare wrote, Brevity is the soul of wit. Wit, in this sense, means effective expression. Brevity should be strived for in the spoken word as well as in writing. The object of communication is to get an idea out of your head into the listeners or readers. The person who goes on at length is often considered .1 bore. Besides, the more you say, the less people remember. "If you feel the slightest doubt about the proper usage or spelling of a word, look it up in a general dictionary, thesaurus or a book which gives correct English usage. In this way, you can learn a great deal and keep from making an error which could make you look less than brilliant. ONE C 0 11 of RKCT1NG your friends or family's speech is a good way to make yourobnoxious. People self resent being corrected in their speech, especially in the presence of others. Only if a person has prcif- ically asked for correction is it advisable. Taking center stage while giving a speech, or even momentarily while telling a story to friends, can spell stage fright and self-cosciousness for many. I was one of the worlds leading sufferers from stage fright until I took a speech course. It cured me. Everyone should take at least one course in spech. n For Kitte Trmell's tree, "LEARN TO leaflet SPELL" send a with stamped your envelope request, care of this newspaper. This pamplet includes practical pointers from educators of international renown, and cues on how to avoid common errors. This will help you in school and on the job. Copyright A dictionary is a writer and speakers most important tool. Proper word usage can be determined with a dictionary so as to avoid uncertainty. kille says: da dipyinni slop DEAR KITTE Parents Wont Permit Visit TUR- MELL. I am shy with boys and dont know what to DEAR KITTE: I have a problem. My boyfriend (Im to him) graduated tliis year and went to another state to visit his grandparents that werent able to come here for his graduation. He has been gone a few weeks and he called me and told me that lie found a good job there so lie was going to stay and work and go to college in the fall. His mother called and asked me if I would like lo go with them to his grandparent to see him this weekend. I told her I would love lo but I would have lo ask my parents. When I asked my parents they said that couldn't go. My parents really like my boyfriend so why won't they let me go: What can I do to show them that I really want !o go? P.O. Dear P.O.- - You don't say, ever. Ive a real problem. With the boys I know and that live around me I can talk. Alter I find out a certain boy likes me I iust kind of like avoid him, in fear he will think Im stupid. I try to tell myself to talk and impress him, it never works. Also Im enclosing a self addressed envelope for your booklet on teen-agdieting. A. d d e Dear A: The booklet is on its way to you. Stop trying to impress people. Start thinking about the person you are talking to. rind out what they enjoy talking about, read up on it, learn more nlmiit it, ask them intelligent questions. If yon do this Uiey will not only think yu are very smart but also very, very uiee. , iunnipress 1 1 i : ' mention your age. Does your family think you are toe young to go off on weekends? Or perhaps your parents feel you will lie imposing upon your boyfriend's family. See if you ran get his mother to phone your mother and confirm the invitation. No Diet Pills DEAR KITTE: I have a problem of being fat. I am at least 20 pounds overweight and next year I want a good figure for school. Don't suggest diet pills, my mom wont let me take them. Fat Butter-bal- l. Dear Fat liutterball: There are many books on diet that could help you. A recently published one that is written entirely for the teen-age- r is by Dr, Irwin Maxwell Stillman, M.D. author of The Doctors Quick Weight Loss Diet that is so talked about. You Bn 5 bdi can probably find (he I look at the library. Read it from beginning to end and start your protein diet right away. You don't need diet pills, you need wont power when you yearn for a candy bar or a soft drink. DEAR TURKITTE MELL: Please print this without giving my name or telling what town it's from. Tam going with a wonderful guy I'll call G. My problem concerns a friend of his I'll call F, with whom I used to go steady. I fell hard for F. He broke up with me seven months ago. But I find out I still like him. I've tried to forget him but I really tried cant. I love G and wouldn't leave him for anything. But he knows I like F and tonight he got mad about it. It wasn't bad. I think things are still the same with us and don't Se Page 26 to |
