OBviously there is some correlation between vocab and intelegence, but how strong are the two related. words seem to help people think faster and smoother,right? so would i(or you) be able to ponder deeper thoughts, if I (or you) had a larger vocab?? I Think im going to try to read through the dictionary cover to cover—any comments? WILL I be smarter/wiser, or will i just say the same stupid shit in a prettier manner?
lol will you be smarter? I don’t know. You will have a better arsenal… lol Thats hilarious that you are thinking of reading the dictionary back to back.
Well look at mathematics. Math is language, its a universal language, those who think in mathematical terms can delve into questions in a far different manner, and concerning physics a far more efficient manner. They can understand concepts of physics to a higher degree, then those who are not mathematically inclined.
Read, read, read read. And when you are finished reading, read some more. The dictionary will be more difficult to memorize with the words out of context, but good for you for wanting to try it.
Just to address the correlation question, in the WAIS-III (the most widely used intelligent test), the Vocabulary subtest is the best predictor of general intelligence (the correlation is huge) and if we ever need to do a “mini test,” the Vocab section is always in the several different versions. Also, Vocab is considered the best predictor of potential for success, and it’s accepted that increased scores over time with increased education are as “valid” as predictors as “natural Vocab,” so Bessy’s recommendation to read read read should be he…umm…hee…errr…ummm…FOLLOWED.
Galactic Heart wrote:
I do believe that words help people to think faster. The speed of thought is facilitated through an expanded “arsenal” of words. An individual who has a large vocabulary can be more technical with their thoughts, therefore reaching deeper meanings, or pondering deeper thoughts, because the understanding is more concise and concrete. This ability to be more concise and technical allows for thought to become expedited. Implictly, being able to place a name for what it is your thinking, expedites your thinking process. If you didnt have many words to choose from, your thinking process would be longer because you would be searching for a concept or connotation for that which you are thinking. Basically you dont have to take as much time trying to think about what word conveys the thoughts you have. But this is coming from a position in which language is used to express our thoughts. I hear words when I think, for the deaf person I would imagine thought would be expressed in some type of visual way. Possibly the signs they use. This only reinforces my belief that words do have a lot to do with verbal and possibly logic intelligence. Just thinking about it, if we did not have words to express ourselves, then would our thoughts be more dense, for they no longer have the boundaries of language, or would they be less dense, for how can we understand thought without some type of label for it. Either way, I believe your reading the dictionary will help you immensely. Your understanding of the world will be more vast, for that which you might have not understood before, will now be associated with a word.
Hi GH
It really depends on how you define intelligence. Now that could be an interesting thread. In modern times, intelligence is often defined by what certain beings called “experts” have decided is intelligent. If you know these things, you are considered “intelligent”.
Words are just a tool by which you can learn and express knowledge. A good vocabulary cannot hurt but some of the greatest concepts are best expressed in the simplest fashion so the extent of vocabulary is not as a measure of intelligence is still an open question for me. As is said: “It’s not the size that counts, its how you use it.” 
People take advantage of this reliance on vocabulary and style as opposed to intellectual common sense. The classic example is the demagogue:
The simple man that recognizes the demagogue for what he is may be more intelligent then the man with the large vocabulary that is swallowing the BS hook, line, and sinker
thanks to everyone for the insightfull comments. im not so much worried about vocab as a means of expression of intellegence–i would much rather try to do that through art or music or talking in simple basic forms. but what im concerned with is basically the pondering. will i be able to reach deeper conclusions on philosophical type problems? I believe Wittgenstein said somthing like “we still have all the same philosophical problems because we still have the same language, leading us to ponder those same questions” .
GH
About a year ago I attended a talk given by a man I have a very high regard for. There was a time for questions and somehow I becme brave enough to ask about pondering. My question was basically that I was well aware that the usual associative philosophical thought is meaningless though attractive but yet I also knew that “pondering” was considered an important activity. So what really is the difference. He stared at me for a moment and said that when I really “need” in the search, then I will ponder.
I spent a day digesting the truth of this. Real effective pondering is not fine language and clever ideas, it is “needing” from the depth of your essential self from which the language is basic.
You can only think as deeply as you feel. If the feeling of this need isn’t there, You will be restricted to clever thoughts and fine speeches instead of the deeper understandings you may be looking for.
Galactic,
One thing I would like to add though, is although reading, intellectual pursuits of knowledge do reap benifits, also you can get to carried away.
A Einstein.
Sometimes I feel as though I should read, I have soo many books here, that I wish to dive into, and yet I cannot spend to much time sitting with a book, because I look out the window, and see the whole wide world going about its business, and the beauty,the different experiences to be had, while I’m sitting inside with my head buried in a book.
I personally don’t think that vocabulary will hinder your thinking in any way, it shall only hinder communication, yet what good is it to be able to communicate with every complex word in the dictionary, if your peers have no idea what you are saying ?
It may sound a bit contrary to my last post, but mathematics is far different form the english language. Its far more precise. I think if you really wish open change your thinking patterns, or give yourself better tools to ponder with it would be far better to put your effort into learning a different language.
thanks rounder, now i dont have to read the dictionary!
No problem 
A word signifies a concept, correct? The more words you know, the more concepts you are aware of; the more concepts you are aware of, the more ideas you shall be able to connect. Connecting ideas, which is producing thoughts sometimes in ways that no one has ever produced before, is what we call original thinking. Furthermore, being able to connect more ideas with one another, having a larger arsenal at one’s disposal (of concepts), is an expansion of the mind.
Being able to recall these words in an efficient manner is a function of the brain; and doing so, exercises the brain because it is exercising your memory. The more words you know, and the more you use the different words that you know, means that you exercise your brain more then someone who only recalls the same concepts which go on in his mind like endless reruns. The former is at a greater intellectual advantage then the latter, because the former is exercising his brain more so then the latter. To use our memory by recalling a lot of different words strengthens the synapses in our brains. So yes, the higher vocabulary, the higher the intelligence; however, vocabulary is only one kind of intelligence. Nevertheless, it is the easiest and surest way to get those cogs moving up there.
Eskimo’s have over 200 words for “snow”. Now I’m sure you can picture in your mind varying degrees of snowfall. Light, and flaky. Hard and slushy… Sparce snow, dense snow… snowfall in the mourning, melting snow, snowfall at night, Light snow that falls in big chunky clumps… Small Snowflakes, that you can barely detect, and turns to water once it hits you or the ground… blah blah blah… Snow that falls in gusts seemingly mini tornados, Snow which falls completely vertical… yada yada yada yada.
My point is you can visualize these concepts in your minds eye. Although the eskimos may be more efficient when talking about snow, not knowing 200 words does not put boundaries on one who is contemplating Snowfall.
Plus the Synonoms in the english language are many. Just because you don’t have one word to describe “Hard packed Snow, which has been traveled over many times” does not mean that you cannot concieve of “hard packed snow, which has been traveled over many times” language only sets boundarys on the effiecency of communication, not thought.
Perpetrators of polysyllabic enucleations have a propensity to gasconade and use argots and supererogative obfuscations which only vitiate into cachinnation and risible verbiage.
Now do you believe I’m intelligent?.. huh?.. huh? 
GalacticHeart, you might want to consider subscribing to an online dictionary, videlicet, Word of the Day (or something similar) then try to use that day’s word in something you write or say that day… it’s a good mental exercise. (Try to find today’s word in the previous sentence)
That’s actually a nice point rounder. Yes, language does make it more easier and efficient to process one’s thoughts and communicate them, I won’t contend your point.
But I would still maintain that the constant retrieving of words in one’s mind, is still an exercise of the brain which does strengthen the minds intelligence; for an individual with an ability to recall information fast, is, I would think, more intellectualy inclined than someone who isn’t.
How about the correlation between proper grammar and the number of question marks you used in your thread title?
I think a large vocabulary (hat’s off to km2_33 there 
) is not so much a maker of intelligence, merely a symptom of one.
A bit of a chicken/egg scenario - but what came first, intelligence or words…? Your basic homosapien caveman, with his basic caveman grunts - was he less intelligent than modern man…? Okay - we’d definately beat him at scrabble, but he might beat us at… scratches head, erm… fire-starting on rainy days…? (no zippos allowed.)
As has been said - many words are like winzip - compressing big fat concepts into quick easy memes (giving your brain a handy shortcut on it’s desktop) for faster processing times.
A better question to ask may be:
How does Mother Tongue effect the thinking processes of it’s speakers - is there one ‘true’ language that allows the intellect the most freedom of expression…?
(Don’t say mathmatics Rounder, or I’ll come round to your house and hit you with a dictionary 
)
You will not be smarter, but you’ll spell things correctly.
I agree that larger vocabulary enlarges one’s intelligence, and it is not only in the ways you mentioned, that it practices quick retrieval and associations without difficulties. for me as a non/native speaker of english, that lanague has initiated me into the wholE concepts, new concepts, which I would’t be aware (the phenomena that exist outside my culture, the tangible objects, the types of action…) if I only new my language. since the language is taught in context, in the word clusters(whole phrases, idioms, noun-verb collocations…) it indicates the nuances which are unknown to other culture.
I wouldn’t have learned concept and use of those words without reading fiction. fiction - a novel, a short story best illustrate the language.
And because of the mental processes that unwind in the write’s/speaker’s mind, we learn the motives, why these processes happen, we learn to generalise, we learn to imitate those processes, to structure our thinkin to induce ourselves to ask all sorts of vairous questions, to analyse,etc.
Try writing out the entire dictionary. Sure it will take you a long time, but imagine how much you will learn.