To arrive where you are, to get from where you are not / You must go by a way wherein there is no ecstasy.
T. S. EliotRead
We assume, to begin with, that the individual is at least as complex in his internal structure as the language is which he speaks - otherwise, how could he speak a language which is complex?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The complexity of human thought reflects the complexity of language.
Kenneth L. Pike suggests that the intricate nature of language implies a similarly intricate structure within the human mind. He posits that if humans can articulate complex ideas through language, then their cognitive processes must also possess a high degree of complexity.
Themes
ComplexityLanguageThoughtMindCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a seminar discussing cognitive linguistics, this quote could illustrate the relationship between language and thought.
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