“ I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible. ”
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey (1817). copy citation
| Author | Jane Austen |
|---|---|
| Source | Northanger Abbey |
| Topic | speech intelligibility |
| Date | 1817 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/121/121-h/121-h.htm |
Context
“«With you, it is not, How is such a one likely to be influenced, What is the inducement most likely to act upon such a person's feelings, age, situation, and probable habits of life considered—but, How should I be influenced, What would be my inducement in acting so and so?»
«I do not understand you.»
«Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well.»
«Me? Yes; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.»
«Bravo! An excellent satire on modern language.»
«But pray tell me what you mean.»
«Shall I indeed? Do you really desire it? But you are not aware of the consequences; it will involve you in a very cruel embarrassment, and certainly bring on a disagreement between us.»” source
«I do not understand you.»
«Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well.»
«Me? Yes; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.»
«Bravo! An excellent satire on modern language.»
«But pray tell me what you mean.»
«Shall I indeed? Do you really desire it? But you are not aware of the consequences; it will involve you in a very cruel embarrassment, and certainly bring on a disagreement between us.»” source
Meaning and analysis
