In 1977, Jorge Luis Borges, one of the most influential 20th c. Spanish-language writers, told William F. Buckley (whose first language was Spanish) his reasons for feeling, age 78, that English was 'far finer' than his native tongue. Right or wrong, I love his savor for language

Don't miss the moment when Buckley spontaneously offers a suggested Spanish synonym for "he loomed over." The American pundit spoke only Spanish until age 6, and then was educated in French before finally learning English.

Borges' grandmother was English.

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