Let us have a language worthy of our world, a democratic…
““Let us have a language worthy of our world, a democratic style where rich and well-born nouns can roister with some sluttish verb yet find themselves content and uncomplained of. We want a diction which contains the quaint, the rare, the technical, the obsolete, the old, the lent, the nonce, the local slang and argot of the street, in neighborly confinement. Our tone should suit our time: uncommon quiet dashed with common thunder. It should be young and quick and sweet and dangerous as we are. Experimental and expansive—venturesome enough to make the chemist envy and the physicist catch up—it will give new glasses to new eyes, and put those plots and patterns down we find our modern lot in. Metaphor must be its god now gods are metaphors.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Advocates a rich, diverse language that reflects modern complexity and creativity.
In simple terms: A varied language mirrors our complex world.
Key Takeaway
Embrace linguistic diversity and experimentation.
Themes
language
creativity
modernity
diversity
expression
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- Writing workshops
- education curricula
- media communication
- cultural policy
Key Concepts
linguistic richness
cultural hybridity
semantic expansion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance richness with clarity?
- What role does language play in shaping thought?
A Different Perspective
Complex language may alienate some audiences.