These examples of the lack of simplicity in English and French, all appearances to the contrary, could be multiplied almost without limit and apply to all national languages. Edward Sapir More Quotes by Edward Sapir More Quotes From Edward Sapir The spirit of logical analysis should in practice blend with the practical pressure for the adoption of some form of international language, but it should not allow itself to be stampeded by it. Edward Sapir adoption analysis practice It is quite an illusion to imagine that one adjusts to reality essentially without the use of language and that language is merely an incidental means of solving specific problems of communication or reflection. Edward Sapir communication reflection mean Cultural anthropology is not valuable because it uncovers the archaic in the psychological sense. It is valuable because it is constantly rediscovering the normal. Edward Sapir anthropology normal psychological It is no secret that the fruits of language study are in no sort of relation to the labour spent on teaching and learning them. Edward Sapir fruit teaching secret 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 crowds language heart A firm, for instance, that does business in many countries of the world is driven to spend an enormous amount of time, labour, and money in providing for translation services. Edward Sapir countries-of-the-world doe country Both French and Latin are involved with nationalistic and religious implications which could not be entirely shaken off, and so, while they seemed for a long time to have solved the international language problem up to a certain point, they did not really do so in spirit. Edward Sapir religious latin long Cultural anthropology is more and more rapidly getting to realize itself as a strictly historical science. Edward Sapir anthropology realizing historical Fashion is custom in the guise of departure from custom Edward Sapir departure guise fashion Impatience translates itself into a desire to have something immediate done about it all, and, as is generally the case with impatience, resolves itself in the easiest way that lies ready to hand. Edward Sapir desire lying hands More and more, unsolicited gifts from without are likely to be received with unconscious resentment. Edward Sapir unconscious resentment Were a language ever completely "grammatical" it would be a perfect engine of conceptual expression. Unfortunately, or luckily, no language is tyrannically consistent. All grammars leak. Edward Sapir expression would-be perfect The psychology of a language which, in one way or another, is imposed upon one because of factors beyond one's control, is very different from the psychology of a language which one accepts of one's free will. Edward Sapir psychology different way A common allegiance to form of expression that is identified with no single national unit is likely to prove one of the most potent symbols of the freedom of the human spirit that the world has yet known. Edward Sapir expression spirit world A second type of direct evidence is formed by statements, whether as formal legends or personal information, regarding the age or relative sequence of events in tribal history made by the natives themselves. Edward Sapir legends events age Human beings do not wish to be modest; they want to be as expressive - that is, as immodest - as fear allows; fashion helps them solve that paradoxical problem. Edward Sapir fashion wish want A common creation demands a common sacrifice, and perhaps not the least potent argument in favour of a constructed international language is the fact that it is equally foreign, or apparently so, to the traditions of all nationalities. Edward Sapir demand sacrifice facts A logical analysis of reflexive usages in French shows, however, that this simplicity is an illusion and that, so far from helping the foreigner, it is more calculated to bother him. Edward Sapir simplicity analysis helping French and German illustrate the misleading character of apparent grammatical simplicity just as well. Edward Sapir well just simplicity character
