Quote by David Lodge, The State of the La
Any language is necessarily a finite system applied with different degrees of creativity to an infinite variety of situations, and most of the words and phrases we use are prefabricated in the sense that we don't coin new ones every time we speak.
Summary
This quote highlights the nature of language as a limited system used in diverse ways. Language is described as finite, meaning it has a predetermined structure. However, within this structure, individuals possess varying degrees of creativity to utilize the language in different ways to suit unique situations. Moreover, the quote acknowledges that much of our language is comprised of pre-existing words and phrases, suggesting that we often rely on familiar linguistic elements instead of creating new ones every time we communicate.
Topics
Language
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