Quotes About Language

I thought I'd miss cursing, but I actually don't. I still feel like I can get my point across without real harsh language.

I grew up in England, and people there are pretty difficult. They never say what they mean, and when they do it comes out harsh.

Never say 'I went to Harvard.' Say 'I schooled in the Boston area.'

I hated teaching Shakespeare. In order for the students to understand what was going on, you had to tell them the story of 'Macbeth' or whatever. Shakespeare is about character and language, and they didn't get any of that.

Ever since I was a kid, I just loved those comedians on TV who would just have fun with the language.

I have fun with words.

The language you are about to hear... is disturbing.

When an American person hears you speak a different language, you're automatically the bad guy.

I might do something in Arabic. I might do something in Hebrew.

I learned enough Hebrew to stagger through a meaningless ceremony that I scarcely remember.

I enjoyed translating half a Bible page, with my mom back in Australia, into Hebrew.

'Self-deport?' What the heck does that mean?

At least when it's in French, I won't know what the heck they're saying.

I have sons, and they have never said the word hell in front of me or my wife. That's the truth.

It took me a year to really learn the American lingo. I really feel for people who are coming here and don't speak English at all. It must be hell.

Everything has changed. When I was at school and was told I had better learn English, I said: What for? The English are a hell of a long way away!

I speak a little bit of French and German, but apparently, I'm really bad at Dutch. The pronunciations are quite hard. I tried to say 'hello' in Dutch, and it did not work. People were just like, 'What?'

We had a dialogue coach. She helped us with our T's.

It probably helps that my background is in the sciences and I can speak the scientists' language.

The language of the heroic is something that has evolved over time.

Good looks may be enough for a heroine, but to become an artiste, you need at least a working knowledge of the language.

When I first came to the States, I thought I had a perfect American accent, and then I was abruptly becoming aware that it wasn't. So I did have to work on it a little bit, but I was hesitant working on it because I thought it was good.

In fact, I was very conscious of my accent and used to hesitate in talking to people.

Both my parents had heavy accents, and so did everybody they knew. It's a rhythm thing - people who speak English where they have to hesitate and think of the right word. And I think it rubbed off.