Difficult Quote by Jorge Luis Borges
“In Spanish it is very difficult to make things flow, because words are over-long. But in English, you have light words.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Argentine Writer, Jorge Luis Borges, 1942
English uses shorter words, making it easier to achieve fluidity in prose compared to Spanish.
In simple terms: English words are lighter.
Consider language rhythm when writing.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- translation studies
- creative writing
- language teaching
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does word length affect your reading experience?
- Can you convey nuance with concise language?
Complex ideas can still be expressed in longer words; brevity isn’t the only path to clarity.