--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The psychology of a language which, in…" description: "\"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 from the psyc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/edward-sapir-15133_accepting_the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-on_265576.jpg" --- # The psychology of a language which, in one way or another… ![“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 from the psychology of a language which one accepts of one's free will.” quote by Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/edward-sapir-15133_accepting_the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-on_265576.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/edward-sapir-15133_accepting_the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-on_265576.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/edward-sapir-15133_accepting_the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-on_265576.jpg) > “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 from the psychology of a language which one accepts of one's free will.” [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 language forced upon people shapes their mindset differently than a language they choose, affecting identity and agency. **In simple terms:** Forced language shapes mind differently than chosen language. Key Takeaway Recognize and respect linguistic autonomy. Themes language identity power choice Mood reflective serious Type analytical thought‑provoking When to use this quote - immigration - education - colonial policies - personal development Key Concepts sociolinguistics psychology agency Questions to Reflect On - How does imposed language affect self‑perception? - What steps can support linguistic freedom? A Different Perspective Voluntary language use can still be constrained by social pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Control Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control-different-2608950/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-psychology-2608947/) [Factors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/factors/) [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Accepts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-accepts-2608949/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Psychology Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology-language-2608948/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [The moment we make up our minds that we are going on with this determination to exalt God overall, we step out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-moment-we-make-up-our-minds-that-we-are-going-on-with-this/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [It's almost like the psychology of a film is no different from the psychology of a person in that it has to function, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-hedges/it-s-almost-like-the-psychology-of-a-film-is-no-different-from-the/) [Lucas Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-hedges/) > [“We are built to desire free will and to choose our own destiny. It's not about being right or wrong; it's about the celebration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deiamor-verus/we-are-built-to-desire-free-will-and-to-choose-our-own-destiny-it-s/) [DeiAmor Verus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deiamor-verus/) > [I know we can each do something, however small that act may seem to be. We can pay an honest tithe and give our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/i-know-we-can-each-do-something-however-small-that-act-may-seem-to-be/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [They either attach themselves to God's will, which results in their continuous progress, improvement and advancement, or they oppose God's will, are justly subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/they-either-attach-themselves-to-god-s-will-which-results-in-their/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [“Most people live life on the path we set for them. Too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-adjustment-bureau/most-people-live-life-on-the-path-we-set-for-them-too-afraid-to/) [The Adjustment Bureau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-adjustment-bureau/) > [I believe in free will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessa-crispin/i-believe-in-free-will/) [Jessa Crispin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessa-crispin/) > [“There is a big park in the middle of the locality. Surrounded by at least 50 houses. That those residents got to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-paula/there-is-a-big-park-in-the-middle-of-the-locality-surrounded-by-at/) [Andy Paula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-paula/) > [“Mastema prefers absolutes. He wants fences on the world and everything in its place, neat and tidy as a churchyard garden. God is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirby-crow/mastema-prefers-absolutes-he-wants-fences-on-the-world-and-everything/) [Kirby Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirby-crow/) > [“The answer to the question raised in the title of this essay - Is salvation a matter of divine determination or human responsibility? -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layton-talbert/the-answer-to-the-question-raised-in-the-title-of-this-essay-is/) [Layton Talbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layton-talbert/) > [The goal of the Creator is for each entity to make a conscious choice to again seek Oneness, out of our own free will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilcock/the-goal-of-the-creator-is-for-each-entity-to-make-a-conscious-choice/) [David Wilcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilcock/) > [Only when he voluntarily chooses that which he inexorably must do, has man any free will at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-when-he-voluntarily-chooses-that-which-he-inexorably-must-do-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“Failing to meet your true destiny is a tragic act of free will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/failing-to-meet-your-true-destiny-is-a-tragic-act-of-free-will/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## 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/) > [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. It is valuable because it is constantly rediscovering the normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/cultural-anthropology-is-not-valuable-because-it-uncovers-the-archaic/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [As a matter of fact, a national language which spreads beyond its own confines very quickly loses much of its original richness of content…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/as-a-matter-of-fact-a-national-language-which-spreads-beyond-its-own/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [Cultural anthropology is more and more rapidly getting to realize itself as a strictly historical science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/cultural-anthropology-is-more-and-more-rapidly-getting-to-realize/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [Language is the most massive and inclusive art we know, a mountainous and anonymous work of unconscious generations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/language-is-the-most-massive-and-inclusive-art-we-know-a-mountainous/) [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/) [Explore all 44 Edward Sapir quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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 from the psychology of a language which one accepts of one's free will.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Sapir" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-one-way-or-another-is-imposed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accepting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-one-way-or-another-is-imposed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/edward-sapir-15133_accepting_the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-on_265576.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/edward-sapir-15133_accepting_the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-on_265576.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c3/edward-sapir-15133_accepting_the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-on_265576.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The psychology of a language which, in one way or another, is imposed upon one because of factors beyond…” — Edward Sapir", "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": "Edward Sapir", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The psychology of a language which,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-one-way-or-another-is-imposed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/the-psychology-of-a-language-which-in-one-way-or-another-is-imposed/#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 } } ] } ```