Activity Quote by Gao Xingjian
“Language is inherently not concerned with logic. As an expression of the psychological activities of humankind, it simply follows a linear process as it seeks actualisation. Moreover, it does not obey the objective concepts of time and space that belong to the physical world. When the discussion of time and space is imported into linguistic art from scientific aims and research methods, that linguistic art is entirely reduced to trifling pseudo-philosophical issues.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1995
Language reflects human psychology, not strict logic, and resists being forced into scientific frameworks of time and space.
In simple terms: Language follows human thought, not physics.
Key Takeaway
Respect language’s organic nature.
Themes
language
philosophy
psychology
communication
science vs art
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- teaching
- cross‑cultural dialogue
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
semiotics
cognitive linguistics
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of language reveal our inner lives?
- How does scientific language differ from everyday speech?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on scientific rigor can limit expressive richness.
