Country Quote by W. S. Merwin
“I think it's good for anybody to learn languages. Americans are particularly limited in that way. Europeans less so... We're beginning to have Spanish move in on English in the states because of all the people coming from Hispanic countries... and we're beginning to learn some Spanish. And I think that's a good thing... Only having one language is very limiting... You get to think that's the way the human race is made; there's only one language worth speaking... Well, this isn't good for English.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on language diversity, 1990s
Learning multiple languages expands perspective and reduces cultural my; monolingualism narrows worldview.
In simple terms: Multiple languages broaden thinking.
Key Takeaway
Embrace language learning.
Themes
culture
communication
diversity
Mood
reflective
optimistic
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- travel
- immigration
- business negotiations
Key Concepts
linguistic relativity
cognitive flexibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape identity?
- What benefits arise from bilingualism?
A Different Perspective
Monolingual societies may resist change.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
