We defend ourself with descriptions and tame the world by generalizing.

We defend ourself with descriptions and tame the world by generalizing.

Spoken language is merely a series of squeaks.

Spoken language is merely a series of squeaks.

Accent is the soul of a language; it gives the feeling and truth
to it.
[Fr., L'accent est read more

Accent is the soul of a language; it gives the feeling and truth
to it.
[Fr., L'accent est l'ame du discours, il lui donne le sentiment
et la verite.]

The secret of language is the secret of sympathy and its full charm is possible only to the gentle.

The secret of language is the secret of sympathy and its full charm is possible only to the gentle.

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

When a language creates -- as it does -- a community within the present, it does so only by courtesy read more

When a language creates -- as it does -- a community within the present, it does so only by courtesy of a community between the present and the past.

And who in time knows whither we may vent the treasure of our tongue, to what strange shores this gain read more

And who in time knows whither we may vent the treasure of our tongue, to what strange shores this gain of our best glories shall be sent, 't unknowing Nations with our stores? What worlds in the yet unformed Occident may come refined with the accents that are ours?

I have been a believer in the magic of language since, at a very early age, I discovered that some read more

I have been a believer in the magic of language since, at a very early age, I discovered that some words got me into trouble and others got me out.

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.