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 Copy Share Image
Human beings do not wish to be modest; they want to be as expressive - that is, as immodest - as fear allows; fashion… — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
A common allegiance to form of expression that is identified with no single national unit is likely to prove one of the most potent… — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
A standard international language should not only be simple, regular, and logical, but also rich and creative. — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
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… — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
French and German illustrate the misleading character of apparent grammatical simplicity just as well. — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
A common creation demands a common sacrifice, and perhaps not the least potent argument in favour of a constructed international language is the fact… — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
A second type of direct evidence is formed by statements, whether as formal legends or personal information, regarding the age or relative sequence of… — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
One of the glories of English simplicity is the possibility of using the same word as noun and verb. — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
Comparison of statements made at different periods frequently enable us to give maximal and minimal dates to the appearance of a cultural element or… — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
No two languages are ever sufficiently similar to be considered as representing the same social reality. — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
It is no secret that the fruits of language study are in no sort of relation to the labour spent on teaching and learning… — Edward Sapir Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
