--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If, in English, we speak words, the…" description: "\"If, in English, we speak words, the French speak thoughts.\" — Peter Brook" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/peter-brook-12618_english_if-in-english-we-speak-words-the-french_2530735.png" --- # If, in English, we speak words, the French speak thoughts. ![“If, in English, we speak words, the French speak thoughts.” quote by Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/peter-brook-12618_english_if-in-english-we-speak-words-the-french_2530735.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/peter-brook-12618_english_if-in-english-we-speak-words-the-french_2530735.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/peter-brook-12618_english_if-in-english-we-speak-words-the-french_2530735.png) > “If, in English, we speak words, the French speak thoughts.” [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Contrasts linguistic expression between English and French cultures. **In simple terms:** English uses words; French uses thoughts. Key Takeaway Appreciate cultural communication differences. Themes language culture perception Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - translation work - language learning - cross‑cultural dialogue Key Concepts linguistics philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you think language shapes thought? - Can we truly separate words from ideas? A Different Perspective Oversimplifies complex linguistic realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [“English is only a weak second language, so that the third language--which at the moment is getting the most play, since French is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apol-lejano-massebieau/english-is-only-a-weak-second-language-so-that-the-third-language/) [Apol Lejano-Massebieau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apol-lejano-massebieau/) > [all the French speak French - even the children. Many Americans and Britishers who visit the country never quite adjust to this, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/all-the-french-speak-french-even-the-children-many-americans-and/) [Olivia de Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/) > [My father's really fluent in French, but I can't speak at all. I actually took it twice in school already and failed both times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-luc-bilodeau/my-father-s-really-fluent-in-french-but-i-can-t-speak-at-all-i/) [Jean-Luc Bilodeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-luc-bilodeau/) > [Some words, you know, it's amazing but some words would come only in French, and when I speak French, it would only come in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliette-binoche/some-words-you-know-it-s-amazing-but-some-words-would-come-only-in/) [Juliette Binoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliette-binoche/) > [When you move around a lot, there are little bits of you from everywhere. I mean, my father's French, and I speak French, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/when-you-move-around-a-lot-there-are-little-bits-of-you-from/) [Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/) > [“I phoned the Admiral back. 'It's no use, Admiral, the French speak nothing but French.' There was a short pause on the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fitzhigham/i-phoned-the-admiral-back-it-s-no-use-admiral-the-french-speak/) Tim Fitzhigham > [A slave is he who cannot speak his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/a-slave-is-he-who-cannot-speak-his-thoughts/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [“For instance, take the two words "fuming" and "furious." Make up your mind that you will say both words, but leave it unsettled which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/for-instance-take-the-two-words-fuming-and-furious-make-up-your-mind/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [She shouldn't speak her thoughts; nothing good ever came of speaking your thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/she-shouldn-t-speak-her-thoughts-nothing-good-ever-came-of-speaking/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [Why must you speak your thoughts? Silence, if fair words stick in your throat, would serve all our ends better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-must-you-speak-your-thoughts-silence-if-fair-words-stick-in-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Know the words I speak are the thoughts I think out loud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-day-to-remember/know-the-words-i-speak-are-the-thoughts-i-think-out-loud/) [A Day To Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-day-to-remember/) > [Choose your words, think carefully, and then speak up your thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/choose-your-words-think-carefully-and-then-speak-up-your-thoughts/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I can't find a project that I'm really interested in, I'll just go back to college where I've been studying art history and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmy-rossum/if-i-can-t-find-a-project-that-i-m-really-interested-in-i-ll-just-go/) [Emmy Rossum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmy-rossum/) > [I've been working with Spanish, French, some more American, and Japanese directors. And then I realized I have to study English, and that's why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rinko-kikuchi/i-ve-been-working-with-spanish-french-some-more-american-and-japanese/) [Rinko Kikuchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rinko-kikuchi/) > [There's something Vichy about the French.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivor-novello/there-s-something-vichy-about-the-french/) [Ivor Novello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivor-novello/) ## More by Peter Brook > [The life of a play begins and ends in the moment of performance. This is where author, actors, and directors express all they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/the-life-of-a-play-begins-and-ends-in-the-moment-of-performance-this/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [Shakespeare doesn't belong to the past. If his material is valid, it is valid now. It's like coal. The only meaningfulness of a piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/shakespeare-doesn-t-belong-to-the-past-if-his-material-is-valid-it-is/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [Never ask yourself what you have learned... only ask yourself what are the circumstances which are different from last year. In that way, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/never-ask-yourself-what-you-have-learned-only-ask-yourself-what-are/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [I've always worked a bit like a cook in a big restaurant, where you've got lots and lots of things laid out and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/i-ve-always-worked-a-bit-like-a-cook-in-a-big-restaurant-where-you-ve/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [Drama is exposure; it is confrontation; it is contradiction and it leads to analysis, construction, recognition and eventually to an awakening of understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/drama-is-exposure-it-is-confrontation-it-is-contradiction-and-it/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [No act of government can save the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/no-act-of-government-can-save-the-world/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [The work of a director can be summed up in two very simple words. Why and How.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/the-work-of-a-director-can-be-summed-up-in-two-very-simple-words-why/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [I have great respect for Brecht, but his path is not mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/i-have-great-respect-for-brecht-but-his-path-is-not-mine/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [We are aware that the conductor is not really making the music, it is making him -- if he is relaxed, open and attuned,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/we-are-aware-that-the-conductor-is-not-really-making-the-music-it-is/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [An icon painter starts not with Jesus Christ but by finding earth and rubbing. Now what is earth, what are you rubbing in directing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/an-icon-painter-starts-not-with-jesus-christ-but-by-finding-earth-and/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [The work of rehearsal is looking for meaning and then making it meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/the-work-of-rehearsal-is-looking-for-meaning-and-then-making-it/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [Every choice I've ever made has been dictated by a formless hunch rather than by strict logic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/every-choice-i-ve-ever-made-has-been-dictated-by-a-formless-hunch/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [In the theatre, every form once born is mortal; every form must be reconceived, and its new conception will bear the marks of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/in-the-theatre-every-form-once-born-is-mortal-every-form-must-be/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [One view of photography is that it is a zen-like act which captures reality with its pants down - so that the vital click…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/one-view-of-photography-is-that-it-is-a-zen-like-act-which-captures/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [Nothing in theatre has any meaning before or after. Meaning is now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/nothing-in-theatre-has-any-meaning-before-or-after-meaning-is-now/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) [Explore all 52 Peter Brook quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) ## More English quotes > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Nothing teaches great writing like the very best books do. Yet, good teachers often help students cross that bridge, and I have to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/nothing-teaches-great-writing-like-the-very-best-books-do-yet-good/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [“evening, they began to think that although he could never hope to be an Englishman, still it would be hard to visit that affliction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/evening-they-began-to-think-that-although-he-could-never-hope-to-be/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Nineteenth-century English literature I know; 19th-century sewage systems, not so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-duncan/nineteenth-century-english-literature-i-know-19th-century-sewage/) [Glen Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-duncan/) > [Although I don't have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-i-don-t-have-anything-against-people-from-other-countries/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not very good at standard English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nesbitt/i-m-not-very-good-at-standard-english/) [James Nesbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nesbitt/) > [While we like to think queueing is unique to British culture, the truth is that we are mere amateurs. The old Soviet Union turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hartley-brewer/while-we-like-to-think-queueing-is-unique-to-british-culture-the/) [Julia Hartley-Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hartley-brewer/) > [I was brought up by the English side of my family, who are very repressed and working class. Absolutely lovely, but very English.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bat-for-lashes/i-was-brought-up-by-the-english-side-of-my-family-who-are-very/) [Bat for Lashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bat-for-lashes/) > [No, I didn't forget Samoan - I understand it when you talk to me but, you know, to put phrases together I sound like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-seau/no-i-didn-t-forget-samoan-i-understand-it-when-you-talk-to-me-but-you/) [Junior Seau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junior-seau/) > [The larger an English industry was, the more likely it was to go bankrupt, because the English were not naturally corporate people; they disliked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-larger-an-english-industry-was-the-more-likely-it-was-to-go/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [“New Englanders could be so brusque.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherise-sinclair/new-englanders-could-be-so-brusque/) [Cherise Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cherise-sinclair/) > [Oh, I think country has changed tremendously. I think country has totally changed. Country music when I was a kid was Hank Williams. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/oh-i-think-country-has-changed-tremendously-i-think-country-has/) [John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/) > [I'm fully English, but Portugal is my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-dier/i-m-fully-english-but-portugal-is-my-home/) [Eric Dier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-dier/) > [I think as English people, we don't want to be reminded that at one point we ruled three-quarters of the globe, and now we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bell/i-think-as-english-people-we-don-t-want-to-be-reminded-that-at-one/) [Jamie Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bell/) > [When I saw what a mess everything was in I asked for my money back on the ticket. 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