Newman - University of Melbourne

N E W M A N
TT is not the age of conversation. The
familiar chiche of the hustle and
bustle of the modern machine age
easily supplies the reason. Yet we
are fond of the noise made by the
human tongue, and hate to be long
absent from it. Through artificial means
and as part of crowds we enjoy the constant
blare of men's voices. But it is the fact
of speech rather than the facts in the speech
which give us comfort. It is an appeal
to the mob instinct, the gregarious nature
of each human being. The use of language
instead of being something personal to each
individual is vulgarized to a common
denominator of familiar catch cries, and
profanities.
An appreciation of the exact use and
usage of words is the first essential to
clear thought. A determination to choose
and reject until an idea can be presented
fully and gracefully clothed should follow.
True, it is painful to listen to the pedant
painstakingly picking his way through
Webster, but it is still more tragic to see
a mental conception go astray through
limitation of vocabulary.
Exercise is the best method of development.
Only by the constant use of words
can we learn to manage them efficiently.
The method lies neither in literature, or
in literary effort, for one shows the art in
practice without necessarily teaching the
art ; and the other is a practice too difficult
for all of us ; there the greater the perfection,
the greater the despair.
But in conversation, we may find the
natural exercise in words which gives
familiarity and ease.
There have been generations, particularly
those of the eighteenth century, which have
taken delight in conversation for its own
sake. Concerned with ideas, but equally
desirous of their exact presentation, they
needed no artificial aids to pass a pleasant
and profitable hour. The human tongue
Conversation
was given to each of them, and each one
was encouraged to use it. He who sought
to dominate the circle with the manner of
the lecturer was frowned or ridiculed back
to his proportioned share in the feast of
words and ideas. Too often now, when we
meet that rarity of to-day, the good conversationalist,
we force the lecturer's wand
into his hand through sheer mental inertia.
Conversation is the art of making others
speak, as well as speaking ourselves, and
most of all it is the art of listening.
At the outset, reference was made to the
catch cries and vulgarities which take the
place of human speech in society. How
often do "sez you," "your telling me," and
other familiar Americanisms, not to mention
the unprintable, which are by far the commonest,
take the place of a decent exchange
of speech, even on the most ordinary subjects.
Amongst a certain group of ninety
people who enjoy unparalleled opportunities
for the exercise of the arts and pleasures of
conversation, it is regrettable to think that
these forms are not entirely absent. Indeed
they are perhaps too prevalent. As for a
conscious effort to get the best out of everyday
conversational intercourse, that is
absent ; so far absent, that, alas, it is never
missed.
And yet, just for twenty-four hours give
conversation a real chance. In so far as
it concerns you personally, practice speaking
carefully, with a nice regard for meaning,
and listening politely with an unwonted
regard for good manners. You will gain,
and so will all who have to endure your
presence. In time, given the capacity to
persevere, you will see the cobwebs of
chiche which obfuscate the modicum of
intelligence you possess, pass away, and
then you will have just begun to appreciate
the use of the tongue God gave you. God
help you!
—A.A.
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