1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[Language and Communication] How much import do you place on a large vocabulary?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Caltex2, Jun 30, 2013.

Tags:
Page 1 of 2
  1. Caltex2

    Caltex2 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    1,744
    Likes Received:
    474
    I think it's important to be articulate and have an extensive vocabulary that no one can stump easily with. But at a certain point, you turn into a snob and it becomes a [bleep] measuring contest because knowing a lot of big words doesn't necessarily make you smarter, it just means you know how to communicate in more ways.

    I place more emphasis in being able to talk to people on their level in ways they can understand, even if I still know some big words myself and if they don't understand a few things I say, I don't turn my nose up at them and instead politely explain to them what I mean, usually in a humorous way.

    Is anyone idiosyncratic to that?:grin:
     
    #1 Caltex2, Jun 30, 2013
  2. DwightHoward13

    DwightHoward13 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2013
    Messages:
    690
    Likes Received:
    20
    I think having a good vocabulary is important. That is why I am so smartical!
     
    #2 DwightHoward13, Jun 30, 2013
  3. Caltex2

    Caltex2 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    1,744
    Likes Received:
    474
    If you were going to make up a word, at least say that using big words in a conversation is funtastic.
     
    #3 Caltex2, Jun 30, 2013
  4. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 1999
    Messages:
    36,817
    Likes Received:
    13,201
    I have a pretty good vocabulary but I rarely use it in conversation or when I write. It's more important to convey a precise message in a way that everyone can understand. You don't hear uncommon words during Presidential debates or political hearings.
     
    #4 Ziggy, Jun 30, 2013
  5. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2006
    Messages:
    28,117
    Likes Received:
    21,360
    I am indefatigable...
     
    #5 RudyTBag, Jun 30, 2013
  6. CCorn

    CCorn Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2010
    Messages:
    21,463
    Likes Received:
    21,288
    Since I graduated my vocabulary has become terrible. If bothers me at times, and I know I need to read more, it just becomes difficult when you work all the time.
     
    #6 CCorn, Jun 30, 2013
  7. Blake

    Blake Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2003
    Messages:
    9,874
    Likes Received:
    2,839
    Schools can learn you to speak gooder english
     
    #7 Blake, Jun 30, 2013
  8. dmenacela

    dmenacela Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2002
    Messages:
    2,443
    Likes Received:
    560
    In a business sense it's almost imperative to be sensitive and capable to speak at all levels of vocabulary depending on who your audience is.
     
    #8 dmenacela, Jun 30, 2013
  9. rimrocker

    rimrocker Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 1999
    Messages:
    22,324
    Likes Received:
    8,196
    #9 rimrocker, Jun 30, 2013
  10. No Worries

    No Worries Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 1999
    Messages:
    30,213
    Likes Received:
    17,150
    English is a language cesspool. Think of all of the invaders to the British Isles and all of the language that they theft behind: Brythonic Celtic languages (Welsh, Cornish, Breton), Goidelic Celtic languages (Irish, Scottish, Manx), Pictish, Latin, Anglo Saxon languages (Angles, Jutes, Saxons), Norse, and French.

    The Second Edition of the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171,476 words in current use [link].

    You need about 4,000 word vocabulary to read a newspaper [link].

    IIRC college educated Americans have about a 20,000 word vocabulary.
     
    #10 No Worries, Jun 30, 2013
  11. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2005
    Messages:
    28,003
    Likes Received:
    23,206
    It ain't no thing
     
    #11 Haymitch, Jun 30, 2013
  12. DudeWah

    DudeWah Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    9,643
    Likes Received:
    3,523
    It's pretty important, but only so that I never feel like i'm unaware of anything in any given situation.

    When it comes down to it, the average person has the vocabulary/reading ability of an 8th grader. So, communicating effectively is more important than efficiently conveying a point with a word that half your audience cannot comprehend.
     
    #12 DudeWah, Jun 30, 2013
  13. KingCheetah

    KingCheetah Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Messages:
    56,458
    Likes Received:
    48,418
    Having a limited vocabulary is an easy indicator of an individual with a low IQ -- this is typically demonstrated by ungood speech patterns and the use of words (they) have created in order to sound intelligent.
     
    #13 KingCheetah, Jun 30, 2013
  14. pippendagimp

    pippendagimp Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2000
    Messages:
    27,047
    Likes Received:
    21,289
    not so much, i consider it exportant
     
    #14 pippendagimp, Jun 30, 2013
  15. dandorotik

    dandorotik Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2002
    Messages:
    10,855
    Likes Received:
    3,752
    I think having a large vocabulary is something that the government (e.g. our school system) advocates. It can have the opposite effect in that it may cause people to support antidisestablishmentarianism.
     
    #15 dandorotik, Jun 30, 2013
  16. Caltex2

    Caltex2 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    1,744
    Likes Received:
    474
    And thanks to the British, English is spoken around the world and new words enter the language all the time for various reasons (slang, influence of language from a nearby culture, catch phrases, etc...) and each region has a unique dialect (American English, British English, Indian English, Australian English, etc...).

    Like I said, sometimes it can get to the point where it's like people comparing their girth, as if knowing a bunch of different words makes them smarter and superior to those who don't.
     
    #16 Caltex2, Jun 30, 2013
  17. GraingerGuy

    GraingerGuy Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    269
    Likes Received:
    10
    Fixed that for you.

    I think it's important to have an adequate vocabulary for your career and social circles. But, I think is more important to be able to "code switch". Basically being able to switch from the language you use at work to the language you use with friends.
     
    #17 GraingerGuy, Jun 30, 2013
  18. Lurch

    Lurch Live Wilder.

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2008
    Messages:
    1,665
    Likes Received:
    855
    My acquaintances refer to me as Spock.
     
    #18 Lurch, Jun 30, 2013
  19. Jontro

    Jontro Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2010
    Messages:
    34,492
    Likes Received:
    22,258
    I show people pictures.
     
    #19 Jontro, Jun 30, 2013
    1 person likes this.
  20. Win

    Win Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2002
    Messages:
    1,745
    Likes Received:
    111
    Words dissemble
    Words be quick
    Words resemble walking sticks

    Plant them
    They will grow
    Watch them waver so

    I'll always be
    a word-man
    Better than a birdman

    by James Douglas Morrison
     
    #20 Win, Jul 1, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page

Toggle Width
Style
ClutchFans Original

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Rockets Content

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now