ELOCUTION

Evening Star, Issue 21092, 3 May 1932, Page 1

ELOCUTION

MINISTERS CENSURED IMPROVED DELIVERY URGED A letter of criticism of the elocution; of young members of the Church of England clergy and lay readers is contained in the * Church News,’ together with a reply from the editor of that journal. The letter is as follows; “ I write about a matter of importance to all church people, the poor delivery of so many of the younger members of the clergy, and lay readers. Wo are supposed to have the Scriptures read aloud, so that all can hear and bo. edified thereby. Certainly the reading desks of the cathedral and some of the parish churches are turned so much to the side, instead of, as they should be, directly facing the people, that one wonders sometimes if it is to keep people from hearing! Be that as it may,, a poor, mumbling, expressionless wayj of reading drives many people away* these days. They are either so nervous (the young men who read the lessons monthly particularly) that one feels inclined to say: ‘ Speak up.’ It is a serious matter; no wonder the churches are empty; when one thinks of the clear,, resonant voices of the older men, one wonders of it is considered ‘ bad form to speak loud. Why not oblige them to; take lessons in elocution and voice production?” “ While we think our correspondent unduly censorious, there is, unfortunately, sufficient ground for the complaint,” says the editor. “ The problem has engaged the attention of those responsible for the training of the ordinands for a long time, but. you can; take a horse to water, etc. Our correspondent finds strong backing in the Bov. Bernard Hancock, who, in a letter to the ‘ Church Times ’ recently made the following statements;— MEANING OF WORDS. “ ‘ We are called upon to read the most glorious English that fcas ever; been written; we profess that the sub-ject-matter is vital; and yet we often' do not always get across the footlights ; we do not hold the interest and attention of the man in the pew as we ought.. If an actor reads a play of Shakespeare’s in a public hall, he knows thati ho cannot hold his audience unless he has learned to breathe, to articulate distinctly, unless be pauses and phrases aright, unless he put in the right light and shade. But, above all, he cannot hope to read aright unless he has got inside the meaning and power of the words he reads. The only difference between the reading of Shakespeare and the reading of the Bible is that the latter demands r'oi-o training,'- ivore J studyf.' viorp pivn .-i, more /than the former.-' ' “ The reading of the lay readers is a; different matter. In this case wo cannot even get the horse to the water. We agree that the benefit arising from giving young fellows something to do, or even filling up a service which otherwise would have to be dropped, is frequently offset by the inexperience of the reader. But wo are glad to say that most parishioners realise that they" are not professionals, and that everybody must make a start. VALUE OF EXPERIENCE. “ Inexperienced readers need not be alarmed by the criticism of this on© individual; the congregation does not expect them to read like professionals and knows they are filling a breach.. Ability to read aloud comes not from hearing lectures about it, but from practice under fire. Some, of course,, appear born readers, blest with a; carrying voice, clear enunciation, and a: quick understanding. Others become,, or should try to become, at least fan* readers. 'While it is hardly less than al sin that so little importance is attached to the vocal training of our ordinauds and young clergy, when hearing is mad© so much of by our Lord, we cannot and do not expect the same standard 'from! our lay readers. _ “ But the pleasure a cultivated voice gives to the hearers should encourage the lay readers to improve whatever* talent they have. All that can reasonably be asked from such amateurs i* that they will realise the importance of their function and do their best with! intelligence. If they can only be led to realise how much a good lay reader; is appreciated, they will not be content to_ leave what may be their on© talent in its napkin, and ceasing to regard themselves merely as stop-gaps,-understand that they are most useful! officers, with a definite and honoured place in the ministry of this country; without whom service in many, places would_ be infrequent. We trust our publication of this letter will noli frighten off present or intending lay, readers, but will encourage them to' give attention to their rending. _ Ther© is, however, no excuse for indifferent reading by at least the younger clergy ; it is their trade, and they should mak© themselves proficient at it.”