--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a matter of fact, a national language…" description: "\"As a matter of fact, a national language which spreads beyond its own confines very quickly loses much of its original richness of content and is in no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/edward-sapir-15133_cases_as-a-matter-of-fact-a-national-language_868969.jpg" --- # As a matter of fact, a national language which spreads… ![“As a matter of fact, a national language which spreads beyond its own confines very quickly loses much of its original richness of content and is in no better case than a constructed language.” quote by Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/edward-sapir-15133_cases_as-a-matter-of-fact-a-national-language_868969.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/edward-sapir-15133_cases_as-a-matter-of-fact-a-national-language_868969.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/edward-sapir-15133_cases_as-a-matter-of-fact-a-national-language_868969.jpg) > “As a matter of fact, a national language which spreads beyond its own confines very quickly loses much of its original richness of content and is in no better case than a constructed language.” [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A national language that spreads widely loses its original richness, becoming similar to a constructed language. **In simple terms:** Widespread languages can lose cultural depth. Key Takeaway Preserve linguistic diversity as languages expand. Themes language culture globalization identity Mood thoughtful critical Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - education curricula - media broadcasting - immigration integration - international business - digital platforms Key Concepts semantic erosion cultural homogenization language policy Questions to Reflect On - What factors help a language maintain depth internationally? - How can policy protect linguistic richness? A Different Perspective Some languages retain richness despite global spread. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cases/) [Constructed Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constructed-language-931941/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Spreads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-spreads-931940/) [Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses/) [Loses Original](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses-original-931942/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Matter of fact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter-of-fact/) [National language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-language/) [Quickly Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quickly-loses-931943/) [Richness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richness/) [Spread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spread/) ## Related quotes > [The supposed inferiority of a constructed language to a national one on the score of richness of connotation is, of course, no criticism of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/the-supposed-inferiority-of-a-constructed-language-to-a-national-one/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [Such is the advantage of a well constructed language that its simplified notation often becomes the source of profound theories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-simon-laplace/such-is-the-advantage-of-a-well-constructed-language-that-its/) [Pierre-Simon Laplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-simon-laplace/) > [It would, of course, be hopeless to attempt to crowd into an international language all those local overtones of meaning which are so dear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/it-would-of-course-be-hopeless-to-attempt-to-crowd-into-an/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [No important national language, at least in the Occidental world, has complete regularity of grammatical structure, nor is there a single logical category which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/no-important-national-language-at-least-in-the-occidental-world-has/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [Both French and Latin are involved with nationalistic and religious implications which could not be entirely shaken off, and so, while they seemed for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/both-french-and-latin-are-involved-with-nationalistic-and-religious/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [National languages are all huge systems of vested interests which sullenly resist critical inquiry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/national-languages-are-all-huge-systems-of-vested-interests-which/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [These examples of the lack of simplicity in English and French, all appearances to the contrary, could be multiplied almost without limit and apply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/these-examples-of-the-lack-of-simplicity-in-english-and-french-all/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [A common creation demands a common sacrifice, and perhaps not the least potent argument in favour of a constructed international language is the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/a-common-creation-demands-a-common-sacrifice-and-perhaps-not-the/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [The basis of any independent government is a national language, and we can no longer continue aping our former colonizers ... those who feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jomo-kenyatta/the-basis-of-any-independent-government-is-a-national-language-and-we/) [Jomo Kenyatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jomo-kenyatta/) > [English is a second language in most of the educated sectors of Europe and much of the world. But maybe in the future Chinese…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/english-is-a-second-language-in-most-of-the-educated-sectors-of/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“We’ve driven wedges between parents and children, between liberals and conservatives, between whites and ethnic groups, and between the religious and non religious. We’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-goddard/we-ve-driven-wedges-between-parents-and-children-between-liberals-and/) [Robert Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-goddard/) > [“No one today is purely one thing. Labels like Indian, or woman, or Muslim, or American are not more than starting-points, which if followed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-w-said/no-one-today-is-purely-one-thing-labels-like-indian-or-woman-or/) [Edward W. Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-w-said/) > [“The range and variety of Chaucer's English did much to establish English as a national language. Chaucer also contributed much to the formation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-carter/the-range-and-variety-of-chaucer-s-english-did-much-to-establish/) [Ronald Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-carter/) > [Welsh is now almost a national language in Wales. The Scottish dialects are reviving to some extent. I don't think it's a major thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/welsh-is-now-almost-a-national-language-in-wales-the-scottish/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“In the twilight that was now the colour of dust, in the fury of horns that was a national language because honking had telegraphic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-joseph/in-the-twilight-that-was-now-the-colour-of-dust-in-the-fury-of-horns/) [Manu Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-joseph/) ## More by Edward Sapir > [Human beings do not wish to be modest; they want to be as expressive - that is, as immodest - as fear allows; fashion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/human-beings-do-not-wish-to-be-modest-they-want-to-be-as-expressive/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [A common allegiance to form of expression that is identified with no single national unit is likely to prove one of the most potent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/a-common-allegiance-to-form-of-expression-that-is-identified-with-no/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [A standard international language should not only be simple, regular, and logical, but also rich and creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/a-standard-international-language-should-not-only-be-simple-regular/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-one-way-or-another-is-imposed/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [French and German illustrate the misleading character of apparent grammatical simplicity just as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/french-and-german-illustrate-the-misleading-character-of-apparent/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [A common creation demands a common sacrifice, and perhaps not the least potent argument in favour of a constructed international language is the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/a-common-creation-demands-a-common-sacrifice-and-perhaps-not-the/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [A second type of direct evidence is formed by statements, whether as formal legends or personal information, regarding the age or relative sequence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/a-second-type-of-direct-evidence-is-formed-by-statements-whether-as/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [One of the glories of English simplicity is the possibility of using the same word as noun and verb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/one-of-the-glories-of-english-simplicity-is-the-possibility-of-using/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [Comparison of statements made at different periods frequently enable us to give maximal and minimal dates to the appearance of a cultural element or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/comparison-of-statements-made-at-different-periods-frequently-enable/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [No two languages are ever sufficiently similar to be considered as representing the same social reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/no-two-languages-are-ever-sufficiently-similar-to-be-considered-as-2/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [It is no secret that the fruits of language study are in no sort of relation to the labour spent on teaching and learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/it-is-no-secret-that-the-fruits-of-language-study-are-in-no-sort-of/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [Cultural anthropology is not valuable because it uncovers the archaic in the psychological sense. 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