Quantity, in reading and speaking, means the length of time occupied in
uttering a syllable or a word. Sounds and syllables vary greatly in
quantity. Some are long, some short, and others intermediate between those
which are long or short. Some sounds, also, may be prolonged or shortened
in utterance to any desired extent. Quantity may be classified as Long,
Medium, or Short.
DIRECTIONS FOR PRACTICE ON LONG QUANTITY.--Select some word of one
syllable ending with a long vocal or a subvocal sound; pronounce it many
times in succession, increasing the quantity at each repetition, until you
can dwell upon it any desired length of time, without drawling, and in a
natural tone.
REMARK.--Practice in accordance with this direction will enable the pupil
to secure that fullness and roundness of voice which is exemplified in the
hailing of a ship, "ship aho--y;" in the reply of the sailor, when, in the
roar of the storm, he answers his captain, "ay--e. ay--e;" and in the
command of the officer to his troops, when, amid the thunder of artillery,
he gives the order, "ma--rch," or "ha--lt."
This fullness or roundness of tone is secured, by dwelling on the vocal
sound, and indefinitely protracting it, The mouth should be opened wide,
the tongue kept down, and the aperture left as round and as free for the
voice as possible.
It is this artificial rotundity which, in connection with a distinct
articulation, enables one who speaks in the open air, or in a very large
apartment, to send his voice to the most distant point. It is a certain
degree of this quality, which distinguishes declamatory or public speaking
or reading from private conversation, and no one can accomplish much, as a
public speaker, without cultivating it. It must be carefully distinguished
from the "high tone," which is an elevation of pitch, and from "loudness."
or "strength" of voice.
It will be observed that clearness and distinctness of utterance are
secured by a proper use of the subvocals and aspirates--these sounds
giving to words their shape, as it were; but a clear, full, and
well-modulated utterance of the vocals gives to words their fullness.