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.

How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?

How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?

Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.

Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.

For every man there is something in the vocabulary that would stick to him like a second skin. His enemies read more

For every man there is something in the vocabulary that would stick to him like a second skin. His enemies have only to find it.

Those who know nothing of foreign languages, knows nothing of their own.

Those who know nothing of foreign languages, knows nothing of their own.

A special kind of beauty exists which is born in language, of language, and for language.

A special kind of beauty exists which is born in language, of language, and for language.

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
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 glory shall be sent,
T' enrich unknowing nations with our stores?
What worlds in th' yet unformed Occident
May come refin'd with th' accents that are ours?

There was speech in their dumbness, language in their very
gesture.

There was speech in their dumbness, language in their very
gesture.

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.