Affair Quote by S. I. Hayakawa
“If I spoke no English, my world would be limited to the Japanese-speaking community, and no matter how talented I was, I could never do business, seek employment or take part in public affairs outside that community.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on language and globalization, 1970s
Language limits access to opportunities; without English one is confined to a small community and cannot engage broader society.
In simple terms: Without English you miss jobs, business, and public life.
Learn English to expand horizons.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- job search
- international business
- public service
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you overcome language barriers?
- What other skills complement language proficiency?
Language alone cannot guarantee success; other skills matter.