“THE MUSIC OF LANGUAGE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1939, Page 8

“THE MUSIC OF LANGUAGE”

AN INSTRUCTIVE AND HELPFUL HANDBOOK.

Based on the text that speaking or singing well is an artistic habit, not an intellectual gift, "The Music of Language,” by J. Campbell-Mclnnes, is an inspirational and at the same time thoroughly practical little manual, which should be of the utmost value, not only to singers intent on clear and pure enunciation and to those who wish to attain to an effective mastery of the art of public speaking, but to all who aim at making worthy use of the English language in ordinary conversation. This most helpful and instructive book may be expected to appeal to any English-speaking individual who wishes to rise above the standards castigated by the author when he asks: "What is the proportion of people in the English-speaking world, who open their lips and mouths when they speak, to those who are lip lazy, and murmur, mumble, mutter and hum and haw?”

Although it is of modest total compass—some ninety pages in all —“The Music of Language” ranges widely and freely in dealing with its subject. In early chapters, the author touches on the growth and meaning of English speech, the historical influences to which it has been subject, the cultivation of speech, the object of language and cognate topics, and proceeds, in treating of speech as an art, to cite and emphasise the beauties of many of the greatest examples of English prose and verse —the Bible, Chaucer. Shakespeare and some modern poets. To much telling and helpful comment on the sense and sound of language, the author adds in his concluding chapters practical advice on the! development of the human instrument! —the voice—and giving clear guidance in the art of correct articulation and breathing. Methods of exercise arc described and the need of painstaking study is insisted upon. To anyone who is prepared to absorb and profit by the instruction it conveys well and clearly, this littlc book offers an assured means of acquiring a competent mastery of the art of speech. The book, of course, is not a magic touchstone. The achievement to which it points the way calls for sustained study and effort. What is fairly promised by the author is that well-directed practice in voicing the purity of the musical sounds of speech will produce results scarcely credible and give the student “a vocal and speech equipment, artistic poise and courage, which he may never have suspected.” “The Music of Language” is published by the Frederick Harris Company, London, for whom Messrs W. H. Paling and Company Ltd, George Street, Sydney, are the Australian agents.