We started to collect more and more of these words and…
““We started to collect more and more of these words and concepts, and began to realize what an arbitrarily selective work the Oxford English Dictionary is. It simply doesn’t recognize huge wodges of human experience.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Language dictionaries inevitably omit vast human experiences, revealing limits of formal records.
In simple terms: Dictionaries miss many experiences.
Key Takeaway
Recognize language’s limits.
Themes
language
knowledge
limitations
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- education
- research
- translation
Key Concepts
lexicography
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What experiences are left out of official records?
- How does this affect communication?
A Different Perspective
Even extensive works can’t capture all nuance.