Some remain clusters of dialects like those of the Pamirs; others are at varying levels of stabilisation; some may be young standard languages, having only recently achieved that status; …

[S]he was quivering like a galvanic battery with the suppressed force of some powerful emotion.

Don't be swayed by minor setbacks: Don't confuse minor shifts with sea-changes. A bump in the road can—and should—be navigated without making major route changes.

I'd like a big bit of cake, please.