Monday, January 9, 2012

well-read, not well-spoken

I read a lot (a lot) so I don't feel completely uncomfortable suggesting my vocabulary might be a bit bigger than the average person's.

 But almost every word I've added to it since I was twelve was from reading, which doesn't really sound like a major problem until you realize that reading new words doesn't teach you anything about saying new words. On paper my vocabulary has an impressive range--but I have to guess or completely make up the pronunciations. As soon as I open my mouth it's clear I have no idea what I'm actually saying and only about half the time do I manage to get anywhere near making myself understood.

It's my dirty secret.

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