--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As you speak I swear I can hear words…" description: "\"“As you speak I swear I can hear words being selected, one after another, from the word-box you carry around with you, and slotted into place. That is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/j-m-coetzee-2457_english_as-you-speak-i-swear-i-can-hear-words-be_1382350.png" --- # As you speak I swear I can hear words being selected, one… ![“As you speak I swear I can hear words being selected, one after another, from the word-box you carry around with you, and slotted into place. That is not how a true native speak, one who is born into a language.’ ‘How does a native speak?’ ‘From the heart. Words well up within and he sings them…” quote by J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/j-m-coetzee-2457_english_as-you-speak-i-swear-i-can-hear-words-be_1382350.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/j-m-coetzee-2457_english_as-you-speak-i-swear-i-can-hear-words-be_1382350.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/j-m-coetzee-2457_english_as-you-speak-i-swear-i-can-hear-words-be_1382350.png) > ““As you speak I swear I can hear words being selected, one after another, from the word-box you carry around with you, and slotted into place. That is not how a true native speak, one who is born into a language.’ ‘How does a native speak?’ ‘From the heart. Words well up within and he sings them, sings along with them. So to speak.”” [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Native speech arises from internal feeling rather than conscious word selection, creating fluid, heartfelt expression. **In simple terms:** True speakers speak from the heart, not by picking words. Key Takeaway Speak authentically, let feeling guide words. Themes language authenticity expression Mood reflective inspired Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - public speaking - teaching - writing - interpersonal dialogue Key Concepts cultural identity communication creativity Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate heartfelt speech? - What role does intuition play in language? A Different Perspective May lose precision when feeling is unclear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english/) [Hear Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hear-words/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Native](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native/) [Native Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native-speak-4793341/) [Speak Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-born-4793342/) [Speak Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-heart/) [Words Sings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-sings-4793343/) ## Related quotes > [“I was born to use papers and books to speak up. 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