10 quotes about the (English) language

Have you ever thought how great it is to be able to speak a language? What about being able to communicate in a second one? Communication itself is vital and it happens in different ways; but without the spoken language things would be…well, it’s hard to imagine how things would be.

Thinking of languages, a small selection of quotes and insights was put together for you. Enjoy!

1. “Avoid the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired; he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys — to woo women — and in that endeavour, laziness will not do.” Professor John Keating in the film The Dead Poets Society, played by Robin Williams
2. “Our language is funny — a fat chance and slim chance are the same thing.” J. Gustav White
3. “Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
4. “Not only does the English language borrow words from other languages, it sometimes chases them down dark alleys, hits them over the head and goes through their pockets.” Eddy Peters
5. “I speak two languages: Body and English.” Mae West
6. “Me fail English? That unpossible!” Ralph Wiggum (The Simpsons)
7. “Language is the means of getting an idea from my brain into yours without surgery.” Mark Amidon
8. “Language is the dress of thought.” Samuel Johnson
9. “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela
10. “A different language is a different vision of life.” Federico Fellini

Take care!

Sources:

• Proverbia – Language Quotes on 18/8/2014
• Best Quotes About Language on 18/8/2014
• The Quote Garden! on 18/8/2014
• Famous Quotes About English Language on 18/8/2014
• 25 Comical Quotes About the Confusing English Language on 18/8/2014