A recent post by Martin Shovel on the Creativity Works blog uses the Wordle website to support an interesting argument that David Cameron is a better speaker than Gordon Brown because he used fewer words of Latin origin in his conference speech than the prime minister did in his.
This reminded me of something I'd written in Lend Me Your Ears in the section comparing written and spoken language (pp. 79-80):
Using words that are hardly ever heard in everyday speech will also make it more difficult for an audience to understand the point you’re trying to get across. For example, the two columns in the example below contain sentences that convey the same message, but the lines on the left and right use different words. Just how much difference the alternative wording makes to the degree of formality and comprehensibility becomes very apparent as soon as you try reading the two versions aloud.
Formal/written We shall endeavour to commence the enhancement programme forthwith in order to ensure that there is sufficient time to facilitate the dissemination of the relevant contractual documentation to purchasers ahead of the renovations being brought to completion. | Informal/spoken We shall try to begin the repairs immediately so that there’s enough time to send the contracts to buyers before the work is finished. |