Language Quote by Bill Bryson
““And there was never a better time to delve for pleasure in language than the sixteenth century, when novelty blew through English like a spring breeze. Some twelve thousand words, a phenomenal number, entered the language between 1500 and 1650, about half of them still in use today, and old words were employed in ways not tried before. Nouns became verbs and adverbs; adverbs became adjectives. Expressions that could not have grammatically existed before - such as 'breathing one's last' and 'backing a horse', both coined by Shakespeare - were suddenly popping up everywhere.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Mother Tongue, 1990
The 16th century saw a surge of new words and grammatical flexibility, enriching English.
In simple terms: English expanded dramatically then.
Key Takeaway
Explore language history for insight.
Themes
language evolution
history
creativity
Mood
educational
reflective
curious
Type
historical
literary
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- language teaching
- writing
- etymology studies
Key Concepts
lexicography
semantic shift
cultural change
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives word creation?
- How does language shape thought?
A Different Perspective
Modern English may not reflect the same rapid change.
