Full Idea
For the linguistic philosopher, the theory of meaning, and the theory of understanding that is built upon it, form the only route to a philosophical account of thought.
Gist of Idea
The theories of meaning and understanding are the only routes to an account of thought
Source
Michael Dummett (Thought and Reality [1997], 4)
Book Reference
Dummett,Michael: 'Thought and Reality (Gifford Lectures)' [OUP 2006], p.50
A Reaction
I am of the party that thinks thought is prior to language (esp. because of animals), but Dummett's idea does not deny this. He may well be right that this is the 'only route'. We can only hope to give an account of human thought.