--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think when you're acting, you usually…" description: "\"I think when you're acting, you usually don't have to know too much beyond how to pronounce the words you're saying.\" — Alan Alda" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f58/alan-alda-1859_acting_i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-d_2015386.png" --- # I think when you're acting, you usually don't have to know… ![“I think when you're acting, you usually don't have to know too much beyond how to pronounce the words you're saying.” quote by Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f58/alan-alda-1859_acting_i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-d_2015386.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f58/alan-alda-1859_acting_i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-d_2015386.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f58/alan-alda-1859_acting_i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-d_2015386.png) > “I think when you're acting, you usually don't have to know too much beyond how to pronounce the words you're saying.” [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that effective acting relies more on delivery than deep understanding of content. **In simple terms:** Acting focuses on pronunciation and performance. Key Takeaway Focus on clear delivery in communication. Themes theatre communication performance Mood reflective analytical Type instructional philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - acting classes - media interviews Key Concepts speech presentation skills Questions to Reflect On - How can actors balance authenticity with technique? - When does style outweigh meaning? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on delivery may ignore substance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Usually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-usually-843535/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Beyond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beyond/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Know Pronounce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-pronounce-3620867/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Pronounce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pronounce/) [Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-acting/) [Too](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too/) [Too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [When you see bad acting, that's usually what it is - they're not listening to the other characters. It's always hard with first-time actors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-baker/when-you-see-bad-acting-that-s-usually-what-it-is-they-re-not/) [Sean Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-baker/) > [Voicing acting is usually fun. I'm very curious about that world. I'm a fan of documentaries, as well, and the voice kind of makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marg-helgenberger/voicing-acting-is-usually-fun-i-m-very-curious-about-that-world-i-m-a/) [Marg Helgenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marg-helgenberger/) > [Acting is usually regarded as a wholly narcissistic pursuit but there really is a hunger in me to unravel the human condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isaacs/acting-is-usually-regarded-as-a-wholly-narcissistic-pursuit-but-there/) [Jason Isaacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isaacs/) > [When you don't know how to pronounce words, when you don't know the meaning of the words, how will you imbibe a song with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-bhosle/when-you-don-t-know-how-to-pronounce-words-when-you-don-t-know-the/) [Asha Bhosle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-bhosle/) > [“If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud!" (William Strunk) ... Why compound ignorance with inaudibility?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white-2/if-you-don-t-know-how-to-pronounce-a-word-say-it-loud-william-strunk/) [E.B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white-2/) > [If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr/if-you-don-t-know-how-to-pronounce-a-word-say-it-loud/) [William Strunk, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr/) > [If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loudly. Do not compound mispronunciation with inaudibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-don-t-know-how-to-pronounce-a-word-say-it-loudly-do-not/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“I remember a day in class when he leaned forward, in his characteristic pose - the pose of a man about to impart a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white-2/i-remember-a-day-in-class-when-he-leaned-forward-in-his/) [E.B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white-2/) > [There are many times where even I, at certain points in the evening, after a few drinks, can't pronounce my own surname.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milla-jovovich/there-are-many-times-where-even-i-at-certain-points-in-the-evening/) [Milla Jovovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milla-jovovich/) > [Never mind what my name is,” the man said. “No one can pronounce it anyway. Just call me Sir.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-mind-what-my-name-is-the-man-said-no-one-can-pronounce-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My name is marwin... I have a first name but I cant pronounce it too ...go home marwin you are drunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aruho-marwin-machiaveli/my-name-is-marwin-i-have-a-first-name-but-i-cant-pronounce-it-too-go/) [Aruho Marwin Machiaveli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aruho-marwin-machiaveli/) > [You're from where?" "Lay'en. It's near Salt Lake City." "Spell that for me." "Um, that would be S-A-L-T-" "No, the other one. The city…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/you-re-from-where-lay-en-it-s-near-salt-lake-city-spell-that-for-me/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > ["Croissant": However you choose to pronounce it at home, it is perhaps worth nothing that outside the United States, the closer you can come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/croissant-however-you-choose-to-pronounce-it-at-home-it-is-perhaps/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [I am a chilled-out person. But if people call me by my name, I hope they pronounce it right. I get called Baron, sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barun-sobti/i-am-a-chilled-out-person-but-if-people-call-me-by-my-name-i-hope/) [Barun Sobti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barun-sobti/) > [My name can't be that tough to pronounce!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keanu-reeves/my-name-can-t-be-that-tough-to-pronounce/) [Keanu Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keanu-reeves/) ## More by Alan Alda > [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [We need to be more conversant with it because science is in our lives. It's in everything. It's in the food we eat. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/we-need-to-be-more-conversant-with-it-because-science-is-in-our-lives/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [When I studied how to think in school, I was taught that the first rule of logic was that a thing cannot both be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/when-i-studied-how-to-think-in-school-i-was-taught-that-the-first/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [I was brought up as a Catholic, and I'm no longer a Catholic. I don't talk about my beliefs too much in public probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/i-was-brought-up-as-a-catholic-and-i-m-no-longer-a-catholic-i-don-t/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [life is meaningless unless you bring meaning to it; ... it is up to us to create our own existence. Unless you do something,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/life-is-meaningless-unless-you-bring-meaning-to-it-it-is-up-to-us-to/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [“My mother didn't try to stab my father until I was six.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/my-mother-didn-t-try-to-stab-my-father-until-i-was-six/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [Originality is unexplored territory. You get there by carrying a canoe - you can't take a taxi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/originality-is-unexplored-territory-you-get-there-by-carrying-a-canoe/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [It's always better to be wise than to be smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/it-s-always-better-to-be-wise-than-to-be-smart/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [M\*A\*S\*H' was a collection of people, in front of and behind the cameras, that really clicked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/m-a-s-h-was-a-collection-of-people-in-front-of-and-behind-the-cameras/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [“Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/be-brave-enough-to-live-creatively-the-creative-is-the-place-where-no/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [To do a musical takes a tremendous amount of energy because you have to act and sing at the same time. And everything has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/to-do-a-musical-takes-a-tremendous-amount-of-energy-because-you-have/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [Be brave enough to live creatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/be-brave-enough-to-live-creatively/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [It's better to be wise than to be smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/it-s-better-to-be-wise-than-to-be-smart/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [“You can't get there by bus, only by hard work, risking, and by not quite knowing what you're doing. What you'll discover will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/you-can-t-get-there-by-bus-only-by-hard-work-risking-and-by-not-quite/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [I used to read science fiction a lot, and I still like science fiction when it is a model of how we really are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/i-used-to-read-science-fiction-a-lot-and-i-still-like-science-fiction/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) [Explore all 203 Alan Alda quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think when you're acting, you usually don't have to know too much beyond how to pronounce the words you're saying.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alan Alda" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-don-t-have-to-know-too-much/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-don-t-have-to-know-too-much/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f58/alan-alda-1859_acting_i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-d_2015386.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f58/alan-alda-1859_acting_i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-d_2015386.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f58/alan-alda-1859_acting_i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-d_2015386.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think when you're acting, you usually don't have to know too much beyond how to pronounce the words you're…” — Alan Alda", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alan Alda", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think when you're acting, you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-don-t-have-to-know-too-much/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/i-think-when-you-re-acting-you-usually-don-t-have-to-know-too-much/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```