This week in the Lost in Classics Facebook Group we will investigate the language in ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ including the difference between formal and informal writing styles and modals verbs for speculation and deduction. In this extract from Chapter 13 we will look closer at Conan Doyle's writing comparing a B2 level graded reader with the original. Comparing the simplified version to the original version can help you to understand more difficult words by finding synonyms. As the style of the reader is more concise, reading it will enable you to identify how to express yourself more clearly in spoken and written English. Sherlock Holmes is interrogating Mrs Laura Lyons, the woman who wrote a note to Sir Charles arranging to meet him at his driveway the night he died. Mrs. Laura Lyons was in her office, and Sherlock Holmes opened his interview with a frankness and directness which considerably amazed her. “I am investigating the circumstances which attended the death of the late Sir Charles Baskerville,” said he. “My friend here, Dr. Watson, has informed me of what you have communicated, and also of what you have withheld in connection with that matter.” “What have I withheld?” she asked defiantly. “You have confessed that you asked Sir Charles to be at the gate at ten o'clock. We know that that was the place and hour of his death. You have withheld what the connection is between these events.” “There is no connection.” “In that case the coincidence must indeed be an extraordinary one. But I think that we shall succeed in establishing a connection, after all. I wish to be perfectly frank with you, Mrs. Lyons. We regard this case as one of murder, and the evidence may implicate not only your friend Mr. Stapleton but his wife as well.” The lady sprang from her chair. “His wife!” she cried. “The fact is no longer a secret. The person who has passed for his sister is really his wife.” Mrs. Lyons had resumed her seat. Her hands were grasping the arms of her chair, and I saw that the pink nails had turned white with the pressure of her grip. “His wife!” she said again. “His wife! He is not a married man.” Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders. “Prove it to me! Prove it to me! And if you can do so —!” The fierce flash of her eyes said more than any words. “I have come prepared to do so,” said Holmes, drawing several papers from his pocket. “Here is a photograph of the couple taken in York four years ago. It is indorsed 'Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur,' but you will have no difficulty in recognizing him, and her also, if you know her by sight. Here are three written descriptions by trustworthy witnesses of Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur, who at that time kept St. Oliver's private school. Read them and see if you can doubt the identity of these people.” She glanced at them, and then looked up at us with the set rigid face of a desperate woman. “Mr. Holmes,” she said, “this man had offered me marriage on condition that I could get a divorce from my husband. He has lied to me, the villain, in every conceivable way. Not one word of truth has he ever told me. And why — why? I imagined that all was for my own sake. But now I see that I was never anything but a tool in his hands. Why should I preserve faith with him who never kept any with me? Why should I try to shield him from the consequences of his own wicked acts? Ask me what you like, and there is nothing which I shall hold back. One thing I swear to you, and that is that when I wrote the letter I never dreamed of any harm to the old gentleman, who had been my kindest friend.” “I entirely believe you, madam,” said Sherlock Holmes. “The recital of these events must be very painful to you, and perhaps it will make it easier if I tell you what occurred, and you can check me if I make any material mistake. The sending of this letter was suggested to you by Stapleton?” “He dictated it.” “I presume that the reason he gave was that you would receive help from Sir Charles for the legal expenses connected with your divorce?” “Exactly.” “And then after you had sent the letter he dissuaded you from keeping the appointment?” “He told me that it would hurt his self-respect that any other man should find the money for such an object, and that though he was a poor man himself he would devote his last penny to removing the obstacles which divided us.” “He appears to be a very consistent character. And then you heard nothing until you read the reports of the death in the paper?” “No.” “And he made you swear to say nothing about your appointment with Sir Charles?” “He did. He said that the death was a very mysterious one, and that I should certainly be suspected if the facts came out. He frightened me into remaining silent.” “Quite so. But you had your suspicions?” She hesitated and looked down. “I knew him,” she said. “But if he had kept faith with me I should always have done so with him.” “I think that on the whole you have had a fortunate escape,” said Sherlock Holmes. “You have had him in your power and he knew it, and yet you are alive. You have been walking for some months very near to the edge of a precipice. We must wish you good-morning now, Mrs. Lyons, and it is probable that you will very shortly hear from us again.” Holmes and I then went to visit Mrs Laura Lyons. She was surprised that Holmes spoke to her very frankly. “Mrs Lyons, I believe that you have some important information about the night of Sir Charles’ death. Why did you not go to your appointment with him? “I cannot reveal that, Mr Holmes. It is a private affair” “I must warn you that this is a case of murder. The evidence you refuse to give could implicate your friend Mr Stapleton and his wife, too” The lady jumped up from her chair. “His wife!” she cried. “But he is not married!” “He is a married man,” assured Sherlock Holmes, “and I can prove it.” He took a photo from his pocket. “Here they are four years ago in New York. Mrs Lyons looked at us with the face of a desperate woman. “Mr Holmes, this man promised to marry me. He lied to me, the villain. And he asked me to write the note to Sir Charles. But I promise you, I never thought the gentleman was in danger.” “I believe you madam” said Holmes. “But why didn’t you tell the police about this when Sir Charles died?” “Mr Stapleton convinced me it was a risk. I was afraid of being a suspect.” “Madam, you are lucky you are still alive. Thank you for this important information. We will contact you soon.” Find the equivalent phrases for 1 to 13 in the simplified text. The language in the first extract is obviously more literary and words are chosen to create a visual effect. The graded reader version prefers to put across the same message in a shorter, more direct way.
Key 1. l – Withhold is quite a formal verb. To be less formal use more common synonyms. Prefer shorter words even if it means using more words, it is preferable for them to have 4/5 letters or less 2. F – Prefer adjectives to nouns. 3. H – To be more direct eliminate any unnecessary words, use approximate language. 4. M – as above. Also in English we generally prefer to use more simple verbs and less nouns. Keep words and sentences short. 5. B – Latin was used to communicate on higher subjects like law, music and art, not for everyday basic communication. For this reason, still today, words of a Latin or even French origin sound more formal. Prefer shorter words that come from Old English. 6. J – remove unnecessary words and prefer personal versus impersonal forms. 7. I - Often when we speak we prefer to use a short common verb and a preposition, also referred to as phrasal verbs. 8. E – Prefer active verb forms to passive. 9. K – Be adventurous with your adjectives! They add colour and precision to your language. 10. C – Prefer shorter verbs to verb – noun collocations. 11. D - To be less formal use more common synonyms. Prefer shorter words 12. A - remove unnecessary words 13. G - To be less formal use more common synonyms. Prefer shorter words. We can enjoy Arthur Conan Doyle’s writing for the beauty and elegance of the language. However, people rarely speak in that way today. From comparing the language in the two extracts, we can establish some guidelines on writing and speaking clearly and effectively in the modern world. 1. Put yourself in the reader’s / interlocutor’s shoes What does he / she already know about the subject? Then decide exactly what message it is you are trying to get across and why. Is it to inform, sell, persuade or explain? 2. Use short sentences The shorter the sentence, the stronger the message, and the less room for ambiguity and confusion. This is why most advertisers use short sentences, even when they are aiming at a highly educated market. The New York Times has a reputation for good writing, yet it is written so that it can be understood by a 17-year-old. 3. Use active verb forms One way to shorten sentences is to use active forms rather than passive forms. Another good idea is to use personal pronouns wherever it’s appropriate. 4. Include just one main idea per sentence. This avoids the possibility for ambiguity or confusion, particularly when the subject matter is complex. 5. Remove all unnecessary words and phrases. This will not only shorten sentences but also make the language more forceful and direct. Do you agree with these guidelines? Can you think of any other ideas to add to the list?
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What is this?When I started lostinclassics I looked for language lessons in the books I was reading, such as for example the use of phrasal verbs or inversion in conditionals and I explained them through examples found in the text. I also did reviews of the books I read and tried to give some advice on how to read classics using the various resources I know of. Then I switched to just reviews and lately I have been doing a bit of creative writing inspired by my reading. Who knows what I will come up with next! Archives
September 2020
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