Communication Quote by William Labov
““possible topics around which the currents of speech may flow: Death and the danger of death: violence, fighting, sickness, fear, dreams, premonitions and communication with the dead. Sex and relations between the sexes: dating, courtship, proposals, marriage, breaking off relationships, affairs, intermarriage. Moral indignation: assignment and rejection of blame, unfairness, injustice, gossip, violations of social norms.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Language and the Social Mind by William Labov, 2008
The quote lists broad thematic domains that dominate human conversation, from mortality and conflict to sexuality and moral judgment, highlighting how language organizes experience.
In simple terms: Human talk clusters around death, sex, and morality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize recurring topics in dialogue.
Themes
communication
culture
psychology
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
observational
theoretical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- therapy
- creative writing
- conflict resolution
- relationship counseling
Key Concepts
sociolinguistics
thematic analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Which topic shapes your daily conversations most?
- How do cultural norms influence which topics are discussed?
A Different Perspective
These categories may oversimplify nuanced personal narratives.
