"The sea speaks a language polite people never repeat. It is a colossal scavenger slang and has no respect"

Carl Sandburg's quote, "The sea speaks a language respectful individuals never repeat. It is a gigantic scavenger slang and has no respect", uses metaphorical language to evoke the raw, untamed essence of the sea. The "language" of the sea is not a conventional language however rather the noises, movements, and habits of the ocean and its components. By mentioning that respectful people "never repeat" this language, Sandburg suggests that the sea's ways are not improved or limited by societal standards. It doesn't conform to the etiquette or decorum that courteous society maintains.

The phrase "colossal scavenger slang" even more stresses the idea of the sea as a force that gathers and discards the remnants of the world without discrimination, just like a scavenger. This images may suggest the way the sea collects particles, stories, and history-- getting and transferring materials along its currents and tides. In this way, the sea is both a preserver and destroyer, indifferent to the human desire for order or cleanliness. Using "slang" implies a kind of communication that is gritty and unrefined, lacking pretension and typically looked down upon by the sleek standards of respectful society. This connects back to the concept that the facts or stories the sea informs are raw, showing the prehistoric and untainted elements of nature.

Lastly, specifying that the sea "has no regard" underscores its untamable nature. The sea does not flex to human will or worths, nor does it relate to hierarchy or status. It exists beyond morality or judgment, operating on concepts of nature that are indifferent to human concerns. This might show Sandburg's wider views on the power and majesty of nature, presuming that there is an important credibility and knowledge in the natural world's indifference-- a language perhaps worth understanding, even if not repeatable within the confines of respectful society. In essence, Sandburg is calling attention to the raw truth and intrinsic wildness discovered in nature, urging gratitude and reflection rather than judgment.