Offline Life....

[English Lady]

I speak as I write and write as I speak, I think. In real life I might not be able to grasp just the right word, sometimes. I tend to get there in the end though!

I do waffle alot online and offline. I could waffle for England

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

My question is... whether or not that love of language is reflected in daily life? Do you search for the right word, or use a word that fits?

I ask because I have been told many times that I don't speak like other people. I was just wondering if this was true for the authors whose works I enjoy.

Welcome to the AH, Tham. That's an interesting query.

What Shang said pretty much applies to me. I've always loved language and the use of words, read a lot, and can remember being asked in grammar school why I used such big words.

Except when I go southern country (Oh, Sophia Jane, you sweet thang, you.) or get into my Right Rev Rumple role, (check out the BS between Boxlicker, Moonie, Dreampilot, Alwaysbetrue and little ol' moi on the Valentine contest support thread) my writing here at the AH is "natural."

However, and IMHO, when writing fiction, the trick is to create dialogue that doesn't always sound like you. That can be a real challenge. But imagine the horror of reading a 100,000 word novel where all the characters sounded just alike.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[lil_elvis]

Interesting question.

I over-agonize on words when writing, constantly telling myself there has to be that one word that expresses what I truly want to say. Often referring to a Thesaurus to refresh/help my memory (usually using only words that I know, but sometimes learning sometihng in the process).

When posting here or in daily conversation, it's more spontaneous and I just rely on whatever words my somewhat pickled-petrified mind can conjur.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Words might not be an obsession with me, but they are a consuming interest, and I love wasting time at obscure word sites like this: http://phrontistery.info/#language. I get kind of upset when I see a useful word I didn't know, as if the English language were holding back on me.

The thing that does obsess me is saying exactly what I mean, and when I can use a word like "captious" (a recent discovery) instead of having to say "unnecessariy argumentative and nit-picky", it feels good, kind of like the way it feels when you're able to use a new shiny tool that's been sitting on the shelf. I like having all these tools, and I love using them.

I'm also a big believer in not dumbing down my language for readers. I think speaking down to them is much more arrogant and offensive than speaking up, and I subscribe to the old-fashioned view that a writer is someone who says special things in a special way. A beautiful string of words or a gorgeous phrase can still take my breath away.

I have to add too that I don't use the same "muscles" when I speak as when I write. The two activities are as different as walking and dancing.

 

[impressive]

With me it really depends on the situation. If you met me at, say a party or a big table of verbal people, you probably wouldn't notice me at all. You'd think me quiet. I listen more than I talk.

If you met me at an intimate dinner or saw me at a conference and I was, say, on some panel, then you might hear me talk like I write.

And if you called me on the phone...you'd get that "baby" situation. I'm terrible on the phone.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

 

[cloudy]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

You? Quiet?

 

[rgraham666]

I speak pretty much as I write.

I'm a passionate person and language is one of the ways I express that passion.

And like Shang, I've encountered that "you're so fucking smart, aren't you?" reaction. And I find it just as flabbergasting.

 

[cloudy]

And like Shang, I've encountered that "you're so fucking smart, aren't you?" reaction. And I find it just as flabbergasting.

I usually hear that one from my husband, and so answer it, "Why, yes....yes, I am."

 

[impressive]

You? Quiet?

I don't make a lot of noise.

And, with AHers, all bets are off.

 

[Guest]

I usually hear that one from my husband, and so answer it, "Why, yes....yes, I am."

You're so angry when you're beautiful.

 

[rgraham666]

I usually hear that one from my husband, and so answer it, "Why, yes....yes, I am."

He must have known that when he married you. Why's he bitching now?

 

[cloudy]

You're so angry when you're beautiful.

MWAH!

He must have known that when he married you. Why's he bitching now?

Maybe he thought it was a passing phase.

 

[elsol]

I'm of the opinion most people can't read.

Add to that having to read facial expresssion, tone, speech pattern...

Most people can't hear either.

In writing, I don't really care if the reader doesn't get it past a certain point. In real life, that is , unfortunately, not an option as I would get fired if my boss didn't understand the concequences of his stupidity prior to bringing it to bear.

I tend to be rather plain spoken.

Sincerely,
ElSol