Does Reading Really Increase Vocabulary?

[DustyV]

I've heard from many people that if you read books often, you can develop a strong vocabulary, but yet I have a couple of friends that read fantasy/science fiction books all the time, but their speaking vocabulary doesn't seem much different than mine?

Or, are they talking about if you write something, then your vocabulary will be stronger?

I myself read, but not much, so I can't say one way the other if it increases vocabulary or not.

So I'm confused about all of this . Thoughts on this?
Dusty

 

[OrbWeaver]

My vocabulary is actually pretty extensive. I also make words up too. I have often times astounded my boyfriend by saying something like "Milk isolates the capsaicin molecules in peppers and help alleviate the burny-ness!" "How do you use a smart word like 'capsaicin' and then follow it up with a word that doesn't even exist???"

I'm just that awesome.

But I attribute my vocabulary to my incessant need to be reading as often as possible. I read voraciously as a child and teen, and continue to do so today. Through the course of constant reading, I came across many words I'd never seen before. In fact, I still do. I had never heard the word "lascivious" until a couple of years ago. I'd never heard anyone use it, and never seen it used written down until I picked up some brain popcorn, aka an Anita Blake novel.

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

My new favorite: Calculated Avoidance. The term used for people, who when in an argument, talk you in circles and will not make a decision on a matter. Also, I like this one: Planned Obsolescence. This is the long rumored idea from appliance manufacturers to purposely build shit so that it breaks. The reason is so things last less time and we need to consume more.

 

[jaimek]

On numerous occasions, people have stopped me mid-conversation and ask if I really did use a word they've never seen outside of reading material, and it is definitely mostly attributable to all the reading I did as a kid, fantasy and otherwise. If you don't pick up ten new words the first time you read Lord Foul's Bane, ur doin it rong.

I work with the public, though, so I've kinda been forced to dumb down my speaking vocabulary.

 

[AMBR]

Yes.

 

[Bamafan]

I think voracious reading during childhood made a huge difference in my usable vocabulary, however I've only seen incremental improvement since late adolescence. Like Jaime, I have had to throttle back on my "$0.25 words" during daily activities, especially during public lectures, tv appearances, and when talking to teenage patients.

 

[Pellaz]

Yes.

(I would have gone with "Affirmative." )

 

[OrbWeaver]

(I would have gone with "Affirmative." )

Pfft! Now you're just trying to sound smart!


I was actually accused of this in high school. Because I used big words, I got a lot of muttered "Joan's trying to sound smart again." I wanted to turn around and say "It's not my fault you're too stupid to understand what I'm saying. Pick up a dictionary." I wish I had. Which actually reminds me - I had classmates ask me if I read the dictionary for fun, too.

 

[mëtålspëd]

I believe I have a very strong vocabulary, but in all honesty.... I hate reading, and have since I was a kid. I'm not sure where I picked it up....

 

[Cheiron]

Absolutely. However, it depends on several factors, including (1) the type of books you read (e.g. I promise that if you read Bakker and Jack Vance that it will improve), (2) if you read closely, (3) if you use a dictionary, (4) if you care. For a while, I'd write down words I didn't know, and either look them up immediately or later. It helped. I still do it occasionally. I think the Kindle is great for this as well, since you can look up the words immediately. It also helps if you make a commitment to use the new words soon after learning them.

 

[AngraRULES]

It does. Especially when English is not your second language.

 

[spag]

What you read has to make a difference as well. Merely reading the NYT Best Seller list probably won't do much for you, as a lot of their books are written to a 6th grade level. Big difference between reading those and classic works.

 

[Mardoch]

Also, I like this one: Planned Obsolescence. This is the long rumored idea from appliance manufacturers to purposely build shit so that it breaks. The reason is so things last less time and we need to consume more.

The term is cool. But it's not very cool when it's practiced. Apple is a primary offender in this field.

To the OP, I would say so. Many years of novel reading and JRPG playing has definitely taught me some words that are off the beaten path. Not to mention illustrating uses of words that I peripherally knew but that hadn't been a part of my vernacular.

I'm also kind of a word nerd, so I'm sure that contributes.

 

[DustyV]

Thanks everyone for your comments! Some great comments that make quite a bit of sense and sheds some light on it.

 

[ashaman7122]

I work with the public, though, so I've kinda been forced to dumb down my speaking vocabulary.

THAT is some funny shit...!

 

[Dragongrrrl]

Definitely depends on your choice of reading material. If you're as nerdy as I was as a child, you read encyclopedias. Or perhaps spend hours flipping through the dictionary. I started reading when I was three and never looked back. I do occasionally find myself "dumbing down" my vocabulary, simply because I get tired of having to explain the big words.

 

[J-Man]

Plausible Deniability

 

[Corsair]

Well, I can definitely say that -not- reading doesn't improve one's vocabulary...I mean, if youtube commenters actually read what they were typing...

 

[Mardoch]

Every time I start to read youtube comments I have to firmly remind myself that madness that way lies. It really makes me weep for what I know the future of humanity will be.