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Do 'big' words in books annoy you?
Im currently reading Colin Thubrons travel book: Behind the Wall.
Thubron is a superb writer and whilst Im reading this book for pleasure, its also teaching me how its possible to elevate the often perceived lowly or lightweight travel book to genuine literature.
His use of vocabulary is so rich I occasionally have to look up the meaning of words; no dumbing down or sticking to the simplest language for this writer!
Which leads me to my question:
How do you feel about books that challenge your knowledge of vocabulary?
Thubron is a superb writer and whilst Im reading this book for pleasure, its also teaching me how its possible to elevate the often perceived lowly or lightweight travel book to genuine literature.
His use of vocabulary is so rich I occasionally have to look up the meaning of words; no dumbing down or sticking to the simplest language for this writer!
Which leads me to my question:
How do you feel about books that challenge your knowledge of vocabulary?
Comments
There was one book I found I was using the dictionary for pratically every page, and that became tiresome, so I gave up reading it (the book, not dictionary :) ).
I sometimes come across words I need the dictionary for and even words I've never met, or words which need explaining. Recently I had to ask on TB what schadenfreude meant - and now I've forgotten after someone kindly explained it to me ;) . But I think you deliver your writing in what seems to be a natural stream, emanating (cough, cough) from your level of education and your ever deepening experience of reading. I know I've got a rather literary way of putting things; or so people tell me from time to time.
Surely you shouldn't have to dumb down in case someone less literate reads what you've put?
We were reading other student's reading responses. I turned to my friend and said 'what happened to plain English?' One was using words like 'thus' another filled with 'elucidate.'
So many words. Why use five when you can use ten!
'Thus' is a bit archaic. Depends how it's used. But I wouldn't use it in a reading response i shouldn't think.
And the point of long, less used words is often that they replace five, plainer ones.
I think we are so lucky to have alternatives in English, and they are often beautiful, and if not beautiful, interesting. I wouldn't like having to wade through cloying piles of them every paragraph, it would slow reading too much, but I do enjoy finding the odd new word.
It also made me suspicious that the idea had been lifted from another source.
The writer who prompted me to start this thread is giving me a rewarding, enriching experience. He's not 'trying to be clever' - he IS clever and I'm more than happy to be educated by him.
Yes!
I like to come across the odd word I haven't heard before. I need to, otherwise my own vocabulary won't improve. But I usually try to infer the meaning from the words around it rather than look it up.
To me that's the same as being an interrupting narrator. If anything halts the story or makes you think of the writer and not the narrative then I class that as a fail. There are no such things as big words, just words we are unfamiliar with.
Use the word that is right for the story and nothing else, no matter what that word is.
I've done quite a bit of educational writing where the injunction is, don't use such small words that the more capable reader is not challenged, don't use such big words that the less capable reader cannot understand them. The point is, the joy of reading. Words need to flow, you need to draw your reader in and make them empathise with your characters. Using words which need looking up in a dictionary instantly break the flow and the mood.
I use dictionary.com when one of my authors comes up with a word not that I don't necessarily understand but wonder whether they are using it in the right context. They've not failed me yet.
Spot on!
Exactly the same here. Aren't cryptic crosswords wonderful for expanding your vocabulary :-)
It is in the dictionary - "taking pleasure in another's misfortune" or words to that effect. We don't have an equivalent word in English, but we share the sentiment - it is what all so-called 'reality' shows are about on TV.
That's what I'm aiming for.
It doesn't interrupt me and it doesn't make me think of the writer, but that's just me. I see an unfamiliar word, I look it up, learn it and use it and get on with reading the book. I also use long words or unfamilier words in everyday conversation too. That's not me being clever, it's just the volume of words I've learned. I used to read the dictionary like a novel, and did do from the age of 9, but then my parents did make me study constantly. I love unfamilier words, I like to learn, and I love the rich language we have. It's a pity it's seldom used so effectively.
Thanks for the help, RichT. Ugh, what an ugly concept. I get the impression the Sunday tabloid press is geared up for this sort of thing too.
[quote=Liz!]BUT how do you know what is going to flummox your reader? I would say educational publishing is quite different to writing a literary novel. Different people have different vocabularies, and most people (as children do as well) infer the meaning from the surrounding text. I only check if it's incredibly unusual. let's have some variety, not pap feed the ones who can't keep up. Otherwise we'll lose the variety of our wonderful language. [/quote]
Agree with that 100%!
[quote=dorothyd]how many of us are writing literary novels, I wonder? [/quote]
I don't write literary fiction - but if I'm reading a 'literary novel' I expect (and want) to be challenged.
[quote=Red]It doesn't interrupt me and it doesn't make me think of the writer, but that's just me. I see an unfamiliar word, I look it up, learn it and use it and get on with reading the book. [/quote]
Like Red, I have no problem with an author who can teach me the odd new word along the way.
I've always thought it means messing about, but I've just looked it up and it can also mean to move stealthily.
That's me told then!
puss·y·foot
1. To move stealthily or cautiously.
2. Informal - To act or proceed cautiously or timidly to avoid committing oneself.
Looks as though it has a small range of meanings!