Real Talk is an original feature here at Girl in the Pages where I’ll discuss random things that come across my mind in an honest and sometimes spontaneous manner. It may be about books, blogging, life, or anything else!
I’ve noticed a trend.
Many people will recommend to bloggers that they use only “accessible” vocabulary. No SAT or GRE tier words needed. Keep it simple, like you’re talking to a friend. Definitely keep reviews conversational and not too long.
Now, if that’s your personal philosophy, that’s totally cool. But I’ve seen this advice given to so many newbie bloggers, and it saddens me. Why? Because it insinuates that a reader’s audience will be alienated and turned off by the use of a large vocabulary. It implies that using more complex word choices is not “normal.” Yet for some of us, having a large vocabulary is normal. Especially as readers, book bloggers are being introduced to new words all the time, and building their own personal vocabulary because of it. Coming across a new word doesn’t have to be exhausting or intimidating. It can be a learning experience, a chance for readers to broaden not only their use of language but perhaps introduce them to concepts or ideas they may not have been familiar with. I prefer reading reviews where there’s a large variety in the vocabulary used to describe books because it allows me to get a more unique understanding of what the book is about (there’s only so many times you can read words like “great,” “well-written,” and “developed characters” before they start to lose their meaning).
Now, I’m not saying that one should perpetually keep a thesaurus open while they blog, or intentionally try to make themselves sound erudite to the point of annoyance. However, I think bloggers and writers shouldn’t be openly discouraged from using a word for fear it may not be widely known, and I think if those words are naturally a part of their vocabulary, they shouldn’t assume their readers aren’t up for the task of learning a new addition to their personal verbal lexicon. If I use a word someone doesn’t know, there’s no judgement and I’m happy to explain it to them; likewise, I’m never ashamed to stop someone and ask them to define a word I’m not familiar with. Being a reader has made me word-hungry and knowledge-happy. Coming across a word I don’t know, whether in a blog post or a novel, is a chance for me to learn and grow.
I suppose I’m recommending a cease-fire when it comes to vocabulary shaming. Whether simple or complex, use the words you want to use without fearing criticism. A blog is a space that should be uniquely you, and the way you speak is an inherent part of that.
What’s your reaction when coming across unfamiliar words? Do you think reading has significantly impacted the growth of your vocabulary? Have you ever come across a piece of blogging advice you (respectfully) disagreed with? Let me know in the comments!