If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.
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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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