New Ideas, New Words.  It is true, however, that an educated person should never rest content with the size of his usable speaking vocabulary.  The addition of every new word is likely to indicate the grasp of a new idea.  Likewise, every new idea is almost certain to require its individual terms for expression.  An enlarging vocabulary is the outward and visible sign of an inward and intellectual growth.  No man’s vocabulary can equal the size of a dictionary, the latest of which in English is estimated to contain some 450,000 words.  Life may be maintained upon a surprisingly meager group of words, as travelers in foreign lands can testify.  Shakespeare’s vocabulary is said to have included as many as 15,000 words.  Figures for that of the average person vary considerably.

Increasing the Vocabulary.  The method of increasing a vocabulary is a quite simple process.  Its procedure is a fascinating exercise.  It covers four steps.  When a new word is encountered it should be noticed with keen attention.  If heard, its pronunciation will be fixed upon the ear.  If seen, its spelling should be mastered at once.  The next step is to consult a dictionary for either spelling or pronunciation.  Then all its meanings should be examined.  Still the word is not yours until you have used it exactly.  This you should do at the first opportunity.  If the opportunity seems long in coming make it for yourself by discussing with some one the topic with which it was used or frankly discuss the word itself.  How many unfamiliar words have you heard or seen recently?  How many do you easily use now in your own remarks?  You might find it a good plan to take a linguistic inventory every night.  A little practice in this will produce amazingly interesting and profitable results in both use and understanding.  A keenness for words will be rapidly developed.  Word-lists of all kinds will take on entirely new meanings.  A spontaneous receptivity will develop into permanent retention of words and phrases.

EXERCISES

1.  Tell of some new word you have added to your vocabulary recently.  Explain when you met it, how it happened to impress you, what you learned of it.

2.  In studying a foreign language how did you fix in your mind the words which permanently stuck there?

3.  Look over a page in a dictionary.  Report to the class on some interesting material you find.

4.  Make a list of ten slang or technical expressions.  Explain them in exact, clear language.

5.  Find and bring to class a short printed passage, which because of the words, you cannot understand.  Unusual books, women’s fashion magazines, technical journals, books of rules for games, financial reports, contain good examples.

6.  How much do you know about any of the following words?

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