Benjamin Whorf
Benjamin Whorf

Most metaphysical words in Hopi are verbs, not nouns as in European languages.

Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson

If you're gonna use simile, analogy, metaphor, be descriptive and have some flowery adjectives and a few odd nouns and some engaging bits of dialogue or sentiment, then you're sort of writing a novel, really. But rock lyrics are not really known for their sophistication.

Lydia Millet
Lydia Millet

Names and other proper nouns shouldn't distract from the language.

Marianne Moore
Marianne Moore

Poetry is all nouns and verbs.

Walter Murch
Walter Murch

There are many, many nouns for the act of looking - a glance, a glimpse, a peep - but there's no noun for the act of listening. In general, we don't think primarily about sound. So I have a different perspective on the world; I can construct soundscapes that have an effect on people, but they don't know why. It's a sort of subterfuge.