--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is merely a linguistic peculiarity…" description: "\"It is merely a linguistic peculiarity, not a logical fact, that we say \"that is red\" instead of \"that reddens,\" either in the sense of growing, becomin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfe/john-dewey-545_becoming_it-is-merely-a-linguistic-peculiarity-no_1375367.png" --- # It is merely a linguistic peculiarity, not a logical fact… ![“It is merely a linguistic peculiarity, not a logical fact, that we say "that is red" instead of "that reddens," either in the sense of growing, becoming, red, or in the sense of making something else red.” quote by John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfe/john-dewey-545_becoming_it-is-merely-a-linguistic-peculiarity-no_1375367.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfe/john-dewey-545_becoming_it-is-merely-a-linguistic-peculiarity-no_1375367.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfe/john-dewey-545_becoming_it-is-merely-a-linguistic-peculiarity-no_1375367.png) > “It is merely a linguistic peculiarity, not a logical fact, that we say "that is red" instead of "that reddens," either in the sense of growing, becoming, red, or in the sense of making something else red.” [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Language shapes perception; saying “that is red” reflects a linguistic habit, not a logical truth. **In simple terms:** Words affect how we think. Key Takeaway Be aware of language’s influence on thought. Themes language perception logic Mood analytical inquisitive Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - education - communication training - cross‑cultural dialogue Key Concepts semantic framing linguistic relativity philosophy of language Questions to Reflect On - How does your phrasing affect understanding? - Can alternative expressions shift perception? A Different Perspective Language may not change underlying reality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) ## Related quotes > [How often have I found that wanting to use blue, I didn't have it so I used a red instead of the blue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/how-often-have-i-found-that-wanting-to-use-blue-i-didn-t-have-it-so-i/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [In 1994, nobody could have predicted 'Shawshank' would one day be an iconic movie - and believe me, that would never have happened if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-simmons/in-1994-nobody-could-have-predicted-shawshank-would-one-day-be-an/) [Bill Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-simmons/) > [The logical conclusion to a compassionate and respectful relationship to sentient animals is that we stop eating them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-balcombe/the-logical-conclusion-to-a-compassionate-and-respectful-relationship/) [Jonathan Balcombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-balcombe/) > [Lawyers tend to be bright people. 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