--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most striking aspect of linguistic…" description: "\"The most striking aspect of linguistic competence is what we may call the 'creativity of language,' that is, the speaker's ability to produce new sente..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/noam-chomsky-42_ability_the-most-striking-aspect-of-linguistic-c_1820523.jpg" --- # The most striking aspect of linguistic competence is what… ![“The most striking aspect of linguistic competence is what we may call the 'creativity of language,' that is, the speaker's ability to produce new sentences, sentences that are immediately UNDERSTOOD by other speakers although they bear no physical resemblance to sentences which are 'familiar.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/noam-chomsky-42_ability_the-most-striking-aspect-of-linguistic-c_1820523.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/noam-chomsky-42_ability_the-most-striking-aspect-of-linguistic-c_1820523.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/noam-chomsky-42_ability_the-most-striking-aspect-of-linguistic-c_1820523.jpg) > “The most striking aspect of linguistic competence is what we may call the 'creativity of language,' that is, the speaker's ability to produce new sentences, sentences that are immediately UNDERSTOOD by other speakers although they bear no physical resemblance to sentences which are 'familiar.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Language allows speakers to generate endless new sentences that are instantly understood, despite lacking resemblance to familiar ones. **In simple terms:** People can create new, understandable sentences instantly. Key Takeaway Embrace linguistic creativity. Themes language creativity communication Mood educational inquisitive Type theoretical philosophical When to use this quote - teaching - writing - public speaking Key Concepts generativity syntax semantics Questions to Reflect On - How does creativity shape language learning? - What role does context play? A Different Perspective Understanding new sentences can be challenging for learners. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) ## Related quotes > [You can't fake competence, creativity, or sexual arousal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-can-t-fake-competence-creativity-or-sexual-arousal/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Here's my theory about meetings and life: the three things you can't fake are erections, competence and creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/here-s-my-theory-about-meetings-and-life-the-three-things-you-can-t/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Twitter has already birthed an entire ecosystem of other sites that extend its power or interact with it. 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