Edward Sapir
Edward Sapir
Edward Sapirwas an American anthropologist-linguist, who is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the early development of the discipline of linguistics...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth26 January 1884
CountryUnited States of America
latin language accepted
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.
inquiry language interest
National languages are all huge systems of vested interests which sullenly resist critical inquiry.
heart crowds hopeless
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.
teaching secret fruit
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.
simple creative language
A standard international language should not only be simple, regular, and logical, but also rich and creative.
symbolism important world
No important national language, at least in the Occidental world, has complete regularity of grammatical structure, nor is there a single logical category which is adequately and consistently handled in terms of linguistic symbolism.
resentment unconscious
More and more, unsolicited gifts from without are likely to be received with unconscious resentment.
attitude men independence
The attitude of independence toward a constructed language which all national speakers must adopt is really a great advantage, because it tends to make man see himself as the master of language instead of its obedient servant.
lying hands desire
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.
communication mean reality
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.
historical realizing anthropology
Cultural anthropology is more and more rapidly getting to realize itself as a strictly historical science.
sacrifice demand facts
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.
psychology way different
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.
acceptance mind spirit
What fetters the mind and benumbs the spirit is ever the dogged acceptance of absolutes.