Excerpt from Six Thousand Common English Words: Their Comparative Frequency and What Can Be Done With Them

In placing this book in your hands I ask for it a careful reading and serious consid cration. The ultimate aim of the work is the introduction of a limited vocabulary for universal use. It points out certain facts that show this to be possible and feasible. For such a vocabulary it proposes the selection of words now already in frequent use in some one or more of the principal languages and nations of the world including the Eng lish, this vocabulary so far as it goes to be learned and used throughout the world to the exclusion, in printed matter, and as much as possible in speech, of all other words having the same meanings. It shows that a moderate number of words, wisely selected, would enable any two people understanding them, though they had no other words in common, to converse intelligently on many subjects. The book gives lists of words compiled from current literature, indicating approximately what English words would need to be represented by words of this universal eclectic or polyglot vocabulary, and explains how the results aimed at may be attained. It shows how these necessary words are to be selected from various languages, how they may be universally introduced and how all other words having the same meanings may be excluded from use in all printed matter and in all languages. No difficulties are skipped, and an effort has been made to point out the hard spots. The undertaking is large only because there are immense numbers of people to reach and teach, and because they are scattered over immense territories. It requires no Herculean effort by any individual or any nation.

It will take you less than an hour and a half to read this plan, and when you have read it all you will know that the plan is feasible, that it can be carried out and the vocab ulary gradually introduced into the literature of the world without confusion, and that the world will not be turned upside down in the process.

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