Theophrastus discusses the characteristics of the vulgar from "summary" of The Characters by Theophrastus
The vulgar are those who lack refinement in their words and actions, displaying a certain crudeness that sets them apart from the more cultured individuals in society. One of the key characteristics of the vulgar is their simplicity, or rather, their lack of sophistication in both thought and expression. They tend to eschew complexity and nuance, preferring instead to rely on blunt and direct ways of communicating their ideas. Furthermore, the vulgar often lack clarity and coherence in their speech, jumping from one topic to another without any logical connection between them. This lack of logical sequencing can make it difficult for others to follow their train of thought, leading to confusion and misunderstanding. In addition, the vulgar may struggle to express themselves in a coherent manner, resorting to disjointed and disjointed sentences that fail to convey their intended meaning effectively. Transition words and phrases are also frequently absent in the speech of the vulgar, making it challenging for listeners to discern the relationships between different ideas and arguments. This lack of coherence can be frustrating for those trying to engage in a conversation with someone who is vulgar, as it requires a significant amount of effort to piece together their disjointed thoughts and responses. Consistency in tone and style is another characteristic of the vulgar, as they often fail to maintain a consistent manner of speaking or writing. Their tone may shift suddenly from casual to formal, or their style may veer from colloquial to academic without warning. This inconsistency can further contribute to the confusion and lack of clarity that is characteristic of the vulgar. Grammar and syntax are areas in which the vulgar often struggle, with frequent errors and inconsistencies marring their speech and writing. These mistakes can detract from the overall comprehensibility of their communication, making it difficult for others to fully grasp their intended meaning. In addition, the vulgar may struggle to use language in a contextually appropriate manner, leading to awkward or inappropriate expressions that further highlight their lack of refinement.- The characteristics of the vulgar are marked by a lack of sophistication and nuance in their communication, which can hinder their ability to engage effectively with others. By failing to exhibit clarity, coherence, logical sequencing, and consistency in tone and style, the vulgar reveal their limitations in expressing themselves in a manner that is both engaging and impactful.
