Jorge Luis Borges — All language is an alphabet of symbols whose use presupposes a past shared by all.
All language is an alphabet of symbols whose use presupposes a past shared by all.Jorge Luis Borges
Jorge Luis Borges, 'The Aleph'
Words only mean something because we agree, quietly and collectively, on their history. Say 'home' and a thousand shared memories light up at once. None of that meaning lives in the letters; it lives in the past we hold in common.
When you speak English, you tap into one of the largest shared histories on earth. True fluency is less about a flawless accent and more about aligning your symbols with the experiences of the people you are speaking to.
So learn the stories behind the words. An idiom is a fossil of a shared moment. Understand it, and you do not just translate — you belong.
Words that widen the world
To assume or require something as a prior condition.
Synonyms: assume, imply, require
A good conversation presupposes a willingness to listen.
Shared by or done by all members of a group.
Synonyms: shared, common, joint
Language is a collective invention, refined over centuries.
Common questions
He means words are signs that only work because speakers share a common history and culture that gives them meaning.
Because meaning is agreed upon, not built into the letters. Idioms, references, and tone all rely on experiences a community holds in common.
Learn the cultural stories behind common phrases and idioms, not just their dictionary definitions.
Carry it with you
In your own words, what does this thought mean to you? Write three or four sentences in English about a moment when it felt true — saying it yourself is how it stays with you.
Read more from Jorge Luis Borges
A hand-picked book or collection to sit with this idea longer. Affiliate links — replace # with your tagged URL.
Explore the readingLove this one? Order it as a print or poster → (shop coming soon)