2,489 Quotes About Language

Chance of source language influencing the target language and that of the translator intervening onto the style of original writer are major challenges in literary translation.

Analysis of error begins with analysis of language.

I still notice the burned house, mornings, when I walk along the beach. "Well, obviously I do not notice the house. What I notice is what remains of the house. One is still prone to think of a house as a house, however, even if there is not remarkably much left of it.

For in spite of language, in spite of intelligence and intuition and sympathy, one can never really communicate anything to anybody.

Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars.

i do not say 'good-bye.' i believe that's one of the bullshittiest words ever invented. it's not like you're given the choice to say 'bad-bye' or 'awful-bye' or 'couldn't-care-less-about-you-bye.' every time you leave, it's supposed to be a good one. well, i don't believe in that. i believe against that.

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.

It wasn't that Henry was less of himself in English. He was less of himself out loud. His native language was thought.

Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth.