English took time to emerge as the common tongue. There had been luck, but also cunning and the beginnings of what was to become English's most subtle and ruthless characteristic of all: its capacity to absorb others.


The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language (2003)

Melvyn Bragg Quotes

English took time to emerge as the common tongue. There had been luck, but also cunning and the beginnings of what was to become English's most...

English took time to emerge as the common tongue. There had been luck, but also cunning and the beginnings of what was to become English's most...

English took time to emerge as the common tongue. There had been luck, but also cunning and the beginnings of what was to become English's most...

English took time to emerge as the common tongue. There had been luck, but also cunning and the beginnings of what was to become English's most...