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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.” quote by Jorge Luis Borges
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“In Spanish it is very difficult to make things flow, because words are over-long. But in English, you have light words.”

Jorge Luis Borges

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.

Key Takeaway

Consider language rhythm when writing.

Themes

language translation style

Mood

analytical reflective

Type

literary observational

When to use this quote

  • writing workshops
  • translation studies
  • creative writing
  • language teaching

Key Concepts

lexical economy phonetics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does word length affect your reading experience?
  • Can you convey nuance with concise language?
A Different Perspective

Complex ideas can still be expressed in longer words; brevity isn’t the only path to clarity.

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