--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Language changes. If it does not change…" description: "\"Language changes. If it does not change, like Latin it dies. But we need to be aware that as our language changes, so does our theology change, particu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/madeleine-l-engle-345_change_language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-l_529859.png" --- # Language changes. If it does not change, like Latin it… ![“Language changes. If it does not change, like Latin it dies. But we need to be aware that as our language changes, so does our theology change, particularly if we are trying to manipulate language for a specific purpose. That is what is happening with our attempts at inclusive language, which thus…” quote by Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/madeleine-l-engle-345_change_language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-l_529859.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/madeleine-l-engle-345_change_language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-l_529859.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/madeleine-l-engle-345_change_language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-l_529859.png) > “Language changes. If it does not change, like Latin it dies. But we need to be aware that as our language changes, so does our theology change, particularly if we are trying to manipulate language for a specific purpose. That is what is happening with our attempts at inclusive language, which thus far have been inconclusive and unsuccessful.” [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Language evolution affects theology; manipulating language for agendas can be ineffective. **In simple terms:** Changing language changes belief systems. Key Takeaway Be mindful of language's impact on belief. Themes language theology change Mood analytical critical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - religious discourse - inclusive language policy - education Key Concepts semantic shift cultural adaptation Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape religious thought? - Can language be controlled without loss? A Different Perspective Inclusive language attempts may not achieve intended inclusivity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Latin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) ## Related quotes > [“political correctness. The history of this concept is as wild and unruly as the conversations about it have become. At this point, the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/political-correctness-the-history-of-this-concept-is-as-wild-and/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [We are at a time in our country's history that inclusive language is better than exclusive language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-are-at-a-time-in-our-country-s-history-that-inclusive-language-is/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [My Latin roots are very strong. All my life, because I'm blonde and blue-eyed, people who aren't Hispanic can't believe I am. And people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-diaz/my-latin-roots-are-very-strong-all-my-life-because-i-m-blonde-and/) [Cameron Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-diaz/) > [Sydney: I like Latin. It's fun. Eddie: I can't believe you think we're the strange ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/sydney-i-like-latin-it-s-fun-eddie-i-can-t-believe-you-think-we-re/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [I don't see how English as we use it in Europe can be revivified. It's like Latin must have been in about A.D. 300,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-banville/i-don-t-see-how-english-as-we-use-it-in-europe-can-be-revivified-it-s/) [John Banville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-banville/) > [With clothing and fashion, the language changes - the gloves come off, and we all can participate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-drain/with-clothing-and-fashion-the-language-changes-the-gloves-come-off/) [Jim Drain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-drain/) > [Everyone is used to speaking a slightly different "language" with their parents than with their peers, because spoken language changes every generation - like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-batuman/everyone-is-used-to-speaking-a-slightly-different-language-with-their/) [Elif Batuman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-batuman/) > [Language changes the flavour of the people, it changes the way you tell a story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shriya-saran/language-changes-the-flavour-of-the-people-it-changes-the-way-you/) [Shriya Saran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shriya-saran/) > [Language changes and moves in a different direction evolving all the time. Where a lot of people see deterioration, I see expressive development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crystal/language-changes-and-moves-in-a-different-direction-evolving-all-the/) [David Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crystal/) > [Zoë threw up her hands in exasperation. "I hate this language. It changes too often!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/zo-threw-up-her-hands-in-exasperation-i-hate-this-language-it-changes/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Naturally, my body language changes given whatever environment I'm in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-ricci/naturally-my-body-language-changes-given-whatever-environment-i-m-in/) [Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-ricci/) > [Language changes very fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-smith/language-changes-very-fast/) [John Maynard Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-smith/) > [Language itself changes slowly but the internet has speeded up the process of those changes so you notice them more quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crystal/language-itself-changes-slowly-but-the-internet-has-speeded-up-the/) [David Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crystal/) > [I was so unsuccessful for so long. I was used to the word no. I was used to you're not good enough or not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamar-braxton/i-was-so-unsuccessful-for-so-long-i-was-used-to-the-word-no-i-was/) [Tamar Braxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamar-braxton/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) ## More by Madeleine L'Engle > [“One of the hardest lessons I have to learn is how not to be judgmental about people who are judgmental. When I see how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/one-of-the-hardest-lessons-i-have-to-learn-is-how-not-to-be/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Inspiration more often comes during the work than before it, because the largest part of the job of an artist is to listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/inspiration-more-often-comes-during-the-work-than-before-it-because/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/you-have-to-write-the-book-that-wants-to-be-written-and-if-the-book/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Severe illness isolates those in close contact with it, because it inevitably narrows the focus of concern. To a certain extent this can lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/severe-illness-isolates-those-in-close-contact-with-it-because-it/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Goodness has never been a guarantee of safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/goodness-has-never-been-a-guarantee-of-safety/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/faith-is-what-makes-life-bearable-with-all-its-tragedies-and/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Instead of rejoicing in this glorious “impossible” which gives meaning and dignity to our lives, we try to domesticate God, to make his mighty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/instead-of-rejoicing-in-this-glorious-impossible-which-gives-meaning/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [I have never lived before...Until this summer, I did not know what it was to be alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/i-have-never-lived-before-until-this-summer-i-did-not-know-what-it/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [On the other side of pain, there is still love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/on-the-other-side-of-pain-there-is-still-love/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“To love is to be vulnerable; and it is only in vulnerability and risk—not safety and security—that we overcome darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/to-love-is-to-be-vulnerable-and-it-is-only-in-vulnerability-and-risk/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“IT was the most horrible, the most repellent thing she had ever seen, far more nauseating then anything she had ever imagined with her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/it-was-the-most-horrible-the-most-repellent-thing-she-had-ever-seen/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [I feel as though I'm not breathing when I'm out of his presence. He's the oxygen in my air, the sun in my universe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/i-feel-as-though-i-m-not-breathing-when-i-m-out-of-his-presence-he-s/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Rather than feeling lost and unimportant and meaningless, set against galaxies which go beyond the reach of the furthest telescopes, I feel that my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/rather-than-feeling-lost-and-unimportant-and-meaningless-set-against/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [My husband is my most ruthless critic... sometimes he will say, 'It's been said better before.' Of course it has. It's all been said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/my-husband-is-my-most-ruthless-critic-sometimes-he-will-say-it-s-been/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [If we aren't capable of being hurt we aren't capable of feeling joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/if-we-aren-t-capable-of-being-hurt-we-aren-t-capable-of-feeling-joy/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) [Explore all 660 Madeleine L'Engle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Language changes. If it does not change, like Latin it dies. But we need to be aware that as our language changes, so does our theology change, particularly if we are trying to manipulate language for a specific purpose. That is what is happening with our attempts at inclusive language, which thus far have been inconclusive and unsuccessful.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Madeleine L'Engle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-like-latin-it-dies-but-we-need/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-like-latin-it-dies-but-we-need/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/madeleine-l-engle-345_change_language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-l_529859.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/madeleine-l-engle-345_change_language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-l_529859.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/madeleine-l-engle-345_change_language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-l_529859.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Language changes. If it does not change, like Latin it dies. But we need to be aware that as our language…” — Madeleine L'Engle", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Madeleine L'Engle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Language changes. If it does not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-like-latin-it-dies-but-we-need/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/language-changes-if-it-does-not-change-like-latin-it-dies-but-we-need/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```