Believe Quote by Bob Garfield
“I can hardly believe that I even know this, but I am aware that Noah Webster's original dictionary, apart from being the first truly American lexicography, was a kind of line in the sand. It claimed a very discrete, American form of the English language, explicitly to compare it to the English of our erstwhile colonial masters who had been operating under Dr. Johnson's dictionary rules for well over a century.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast with Bob Garfield, 2023
Webster’s dictionary aimed to define a distinct American English, separating it from British influence.
In simple terms: Webster wanted a unique American language.
Key Takeaway
Recognize language as a cultural identity tool.
Themes
language
nationalism
identity
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
historical
cultural
When to use this quote
- education
- publishing
- media
- political discourse
Key Concepts
linguistics
cultural studies
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a distinct language mean for national identity?
- How do dictionaries shape thought?
A Different Perspective
Language evolution can blur the intended distinctions over time.
![“[A TV commercial] crossed my desk in 1986. It came with a press release boasting about an enormous production budget employed in service of what it termed a communications “breakthrough”. The secret of this particular breakthrough was the science of semiotics — i.e., conveying meaning via powerful…” quote by Bob Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/147/bob-garfield-61148_communication_a-tv-commercial-crossed-my-desk-in-1986_817180.jpg)
