Longing Quote by Jenny Boully
““The experience of time translates itself into language, and language translates itself into distance, which translates itself into longing, which is the realization of time. (…) how sad and strange that I, Jenny Boully, should be the sign of a signifier or the signifier of a sign, moreover, the sign of a signifier searching for the signifies.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Sign of a Signifier” by Jenny Boully, 2015
Language mediates our perception of time, turning moments into distance and longing, revealing how we become symbols within symbols.
In simple terms: Language turns time into longing.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how language shapes your sense of time.
Themes
language
time
identity
longing
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- writing
- philosophical reflection
- artistic analysis
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
semiotics
temporal perception
self‑reference
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape your experience of time?
- In what ways do you become a signifier of your own story?
A Different Perspective
The concept can feel abstract and hard to apply practically.
