Language Quote by Nicole Brossard
““I am trying to imagine language without light, as though I wanted to understand how things were before language, when, deep in the throat, syllables and vowels were not yet organized and it was necessary to tilt one’s head back to allow sounds to fly through the open air, terrifying, guttural or strident.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Language of Light” by Nicole Brossard, 1995
The quote imagines a pre‑language world where sound existed without structured words, highlighting the primal, visceral nature of vocal expression before linguistic order.
In simple terms: Imagining sound before words shows how raw speech feels.
Key Takeaway
Explore the raw, physical side of communication.
Themes
language
sound
primal expression
creativity
perception
Mood
reflective
curious
introspective
Type
poetic
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- voice acting
- language teaching
- sound design
- meditation on breath
Key Concepts
phonetics
embodiment
pre‑linguistic communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sound shape thought before words?
- What does “tilting the head back” symbolize in communication?
A Different Perspective
It may romanticize chaos, ignoring the necessity of structure for shared meaning.
![“I haven't found a drug yet that can get you anywhere near as high as a sitting at a desk writing, trying to imagine a story no matter how bizarre it is, [or] going out and getting into the weirdness of reality and doing a little time on the Proud Highway.” quote by Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/79f/hunter-s-thompson-278_bizarre_i-haven-t-found-a-drug-yet-that-can-get_1679668.jpg)
