Language Quotes

“A contraction's a word made by shortening and combining two words.”

“Language is the only homeland.”

“In two words: im-possible.”

“High thoughts must have high language.”

“Linguistics is not about 'correct' or 'incorrect' language use, but about describing how people actually use language.”

“Hypercorrection is the over-application of a perceived rule of grammar or pronunciation in an attempt to appear more formal or educated.”

“the language of the poem is the language of language.”

“Grammar is a piano I play by ear. All I know about grammar is its power.”

“Languages are true analytical methods.”

“Human speech is like a cracked cauldron on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, when all the time we are longing to move the stars to pity.”

“The sentence is a lonely place.”

“The true life is not reducible to words spoken or written, not by anyone, ever.”

“The English language is direct, unapologetic, and wonderfully expressive.”

“Logic and mathematics are nothing but specialized linguistic structures.”

“Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word 'Frisco,' which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor.”

“Human language appears to be a unique phenomenon, without significant analogue in the animal world.”

“The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.”

“You can’t do Shakespeare unless you love the verse. It’s the music of the play.”

“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.”

“To me, music is entertainment—what else can it be? In fact, it's the only language I know of that's universal.”