Failing Quote by Noam Chomsky
“There is a kind of nonlinguistic thought going on which we are trying to represent in language, and we know that sometimes we fail.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2015, The New York Times, “Language and Thought”
We try to capture non‑verbal cognition in words, but often fall short.
In simple terms: Language can’t fully express some thoughts.
Key Takeaway
Accept the limits of verbal expression.
Themes
cognition
language
communication
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research discussions
- philosophical debates
- teaching
- writing
Key Concepts
semiotics
cognitive science
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you convey feelings that resist description?
- What tools help bridge thought and language?
A Different Perspective
Non‑verbal ideas may be misinterpreted when forced into language.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
