But when a few have come in and by their
superior command of language gained a distinct advantage over rivals, then
the power inherent in language comes into universal demand--the business
standard is raised. There are many signs now that the business standard
in the use of language is being distinctly raised. Already a stenographer
who does not make errors commands a salary from 25 per cent. to 50 per
cent. higher than the average, and is always in demand. Advertisement
writers must have not only business instinct but language instinct,
and knowledge of correct, as well as forceful, expression{.}
Granted, then, that we are all eager to better our knowledge
of the English language, how shall we go about it?
There are literally thousands of published books devoted to the study
and teaching of our language. In such a flood it would seem that we
should have no difficulty in obtaining good guides for our study.
But what do we find? We find spelling-books filled with lists of words to
be memorized; we find grammars filled with names and definitions of all
the different forms which the language assumes; we find rhetorics filled
with the names of every device ever employed to give effectiveness to
language; we find books on literature filled with the names, dates of
birth and death, and lists of works, of every writer any one ever heard of:
and when we have learned all these names we are no better off than when we
started.
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