Average Quote by Bertrand Russell
“A word is used "correctly" when the average hearer will be affected by it in the way intended. This is a psychological, not a literary, definition of "correctness". The literary definition would substitute, for the average hearer, a person of high education living a long time ago; the purpose of this definition is to make it difficult to speak or write correctly.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "On the Study of Language", 1919
Correct usage depends on the typical listener’s interpretation, not on elite historical standards.
In simple terms: Correctness is about how most people understand a word.
Key Takeaway
Consider the audience when choosing words.
Themes
language
communication
interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- writing
- public speaking
- marketing
- legal drafting
Key Concepts
psychology
semantics
pragmatics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does audience perception shape meaning?
- When might formal standards be useful?
A Different Perspective
Elite definitions can exclude everyday speakers.
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