Edward Sapir Quotes about Language

We see and hear and otherwise experience very largely as we do because the language habits of our community predispose certain choices of interpretation.

We see and hear and otherwise experience very largely as we do because the language habits of our community predispose certain choices of interpretation.

Edward Sapir

Choices, Community, Language

Edward Sapir (1949). “Culture, Language, and Personality: Selected Essays”, p.69, Univ of California Press

Human beings do not live in the objective world alone, nor alone in the world of social activity as ordinarily understood, but are very much at the mercy of the particular language which has become the medium of expression for their society.

Edward Sapir

Expression, World, Language

Edward Sapir, David Goodman Mandelbaum (1985). “Selected Writings of Edward Sapir in Language, Culture and Personality”, p.162, Univ of California Press

No two languages are ever sufficiently similar to be considered as representing the same social reality.

Edward Sapir

Reality, Two, Language

Edward Sapir, David Goodman Mandelbaum (1985). “Selected Writings of Edward Sapir in Language, Culture and Personality”, p.162, Univ of California Press

In a sense, every form of expression is imposed upon one by social factors, one's own language above all.

Edward Sapir

Expression, Language, Social

Edward Sapir, Pierre Swiggers (2008). “General Linguistics”, p.277, Walter de Gruyter

A standard international language should not only be simple, regular, and logical, but also rich and creative.

Edward Sapir

Simple, Creative, Language

Edward Sapir, Pierre Swiggers (2008). “General Linguistics”, p.281, Walter de Gruyter

As a matter of fact, a national language which spreads beyond its own confines very quickly loses much of its original richness of content and is in no better case than a constructed language.

Edward Sapir

Matter, Facts, Language

Edward Sapir, Pierre Swiggers (2008). “General Linguistics”, p.281, Walter de Gruyter

English, once accepted as an international language, is no more secure than French has proved to be as the one and only accepted language of diplomacy or as Latin has proved to be as the international language of science.

Edward Sapir

Latin, Language, Accepted

Edward Sapir, David Goodman Mandelbaum (1970). “Culture, Language and Personality”, p.50, Univ of California Press

National languages are all huge systems of vested interests which sullenly resist critical inquiry.

Edward Sapir

Inquiry, Language, Interest

Edward Sapir, David Goodman Mandelbaum (1985). “Selected Writings of Edward Sapir in Language, Culture and Personality”, p.118, Univ of California Press

It would, of course, be hopeless to attempt to crowd into an international language all those local overtones of meaning which are so dear to the heart of the nationalist.

Edward Sapir

Heart, Crowds, Language

Edward Sapir, Pierre Swiggers (2008). “General Linguistics”, p.281, Walter de Gruyter

Edward Sapir Quotes about Language

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