Home / Quotes / Quote by Trevor Noah

Quote by Trevor Noah

“Smaller incidents in my life made me realize that language, even more than color, defines who you are to people.”

Quote by Trevor Noah

Author

Trevor Noah is a South African-born comedian, writer, and television host. He is known for his unique sense of humor and insightful commentary on social issues. Born on February 20, 1984, Noah grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. He began his career performing in comedy clubs in Johannesburg and has since gained recognition in the television and radio industry. more

You May Also Like

“I think it was something I inherited from my mother, who learned to do it. You know, I, like a baby duckling, was merely mimicking the survival traits that my mother possessed. And I came to learn very quickly that language was a powerful, powerful tool.”

Thinking Knows Mother Language Powerful Baby Survival Tools Traits Possessed Mimicking Ducklings

Author:Trevor Noah

“Language and accents govern so much of how people think about other people.”

People Thinking Language Accents

Author:Trevor Noah

“Even now in America, you know, when people say they hate immigrants, they're not referring to a Canadian immigrant. You know, they're not referring to somebody who has an accent who's slightly different to theirs.”

People Knows Different America Hate Immigrants Accents Referring

Author:Trevor Noah

“When you hear somebody speaking in an accent, it's almost like they're invading your language while they're speaking to you because if you hear someone speak another language, you almost don't care. But when they speak your language with an accent, it feels like an invasion of something that belongs to you. And, immediately, we change.”

Ifs Feels Care Speak Language Don't Care Accents Invasion Invading

Author:Trevor Noah

“When I first came to the U.S. - because I do accents and I've traveled the world. I have friends of almost every single ethnicity, and I would mimic them. And when I came to the U.S., I remember one day we're at "The Daily Show." And I mimicked my Chinese friend. And the guys at the show were like, oh, hey, don't ever do that again. That's really racist.”

World Firsts Shows Remember Guy One Day Hey Chinese Racist Accents Traveled Ethnicity Daily Show

Author:Trevor Noah

“They said [on a day show], oh, you can't do a Chinese accent. That's - and I said, I'm not doing a Chinese accent. I'm doing my friend's accent. And they said, yeah, you can't do that. And I said, OK, but can I do a Russian accent? And they said, yeah, yeah, of course, you can do that. I said, and a British accent? They said, yeah, go ahead. And I couldn't understand.”

Said Shows Courses Can Do My Friends Yeah British Chinese Accents They Said

Author:Trevor Noah

“I came to realize,people who had Chinese accents will continue to have Chinese accents in America are treated as being stupid or not as intelligent as an English speaker who is fluent with an American accent - I came to realize why. But it's always fascinated me how quickly you can change where you stand with another human being just based on how you speak.”

People Humans America Speak Realizing Human Beings Stupid Intelligent Treated Chinese Fascinated Speakers Accents Fluent Where You Stand Being Stupid

Author:Trevor Noah

“I knew of like - I remember, for most of my life, I grew up, and "Knight Rider" was, you know - David Hasselhoff was a Dutch character in my world.”

Knows World Character Remember Grew Grew Up Knights Riders Dutch

Author:Trevor Noah

“If you look at this election, I feel like Donald Trump was speaking a different language to Hillary Clinton.”

Ifs Feels Looks Different Language Trump Election Clinton Different Languages

Author:Trevor Noah

“I hate using this term [miracle]. I'm a man of science. I'm a doctor. I don't use this word. But he said, it's a miracle your mom's alive.”

Men Said Use Hate Term Alive Mom Doctors Miracle I Hate Your Mom

Author:Trevor Noah