Quote by Christopher Ricks
When a language creates -- as it does -- a community within the present, it does so only by courtesy of a community between the present and the past.
Summary
This quote highlights that the creation of a language community in the present is only possible because of the ties between the present and the past. It suggests that the evolution and development of language are deeply connected to the historical roots and shared understanding of a community. The quote emphasizes the interdependence of the present and the past, implying that the current language community is built upon the knowledge and traditions handed down from previous generations.