J. R. R. Tolkien Languages Quotations

It is plain indeed that in spite of later estrangement Hobbits are relatives of ours: far nearer to us than Elves, or even than Dwarves. Of old they spoke the languages of Men, after their own fashion, and liked and disliked much the same things as Men did. But what exactly our relationship is can no longer be discovered.

I wish life was not so short, he thought. languages take such a time, and so do all the things one wants to know about.