As They Said
E weren’t told whose brilliant notion it was to use the Oxford Book ot English Talk as the basis for a radio series, but the outcome was splendid. In one way As We Said was a synthetic product, since very properly no attempt was made to reproduce the pronunciation of earlier times. But the same is true of Shakespeare. We may not have’ heard the right sounds but we heard the right words, and they made perfect radio. Is it only the novelty of the vocabulary and usage which makes it seem that ordinary people in those days could express themselves more forcibly and picturesquely than is usual now? Several of the best of the earlier extracts were: from court records, before court reporters grew sophisticated enough to doctor speech according to their ideas of propriety. There was one most engaging heretic. Even the knowledge that she went to the stake for what she said couldn’t dim the pleasure of hearing her sprightly back-chat. On the other Mr Trevor mace the Earl of Strafford’s defence at his trial sound almost unbearably poignant. And there were many aa good things. I hope the book will e made to yield up more of its treasures in the future.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19570802.2.47.4
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 938, 2 August 1957, Page 31
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209As They Said New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 938, 2 August 1957, Page 31
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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