If I had my way books would not be written in English, but…
“If I had my way books would not be written in English, but in an exceedingly difficult secret language that only skilled professional readers and story-tellers could interpret. Then people like you would have to go to public halls and pay good prices to hear the professionals decode and read the books aloud for you. This plan would have the advantage of scaring off all amateur authors, retired politicians, country doctors and I-Married-a-Midget writers who would not have the patience to learn the secret language.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author imagines a world where books are written in a secret language, forcing people to pay professionals to read them, thereby discouraging amateur writers.
In simple terms: A secret language would make books inaccessible to most, creating a market for professional readers.
Key Takeaway
Consider how accessibility shapes cultural participation.
Themes
accessibility
elitism
literature
language
economics
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
satirical
commentary
When to use this quote
- publishing industry
- public libraries
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
Gatekeeping
cultural capital
information asymmetry
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from exclusive access to knowledge?
- How might this affect creativity?
A Different Perspective
It could widen inequality and limit diverse voices.