Quotes offering explanations why, for example, the US and
UK are separated by a common language, as is often the
case on this list

http://mercury.ccil.org/~cowan/essential.html

For example, LOTR being topical

"American English is essentially English after having been
wiped off with a dirty sponge" -- J.R.R. Tolkien


And an explanation that's a little enlightening. The first time I
saw Portuguese programmes on access TV I wondered why
those "Russians" kept talking about Portugal

"Portuguese is essentially Spanish as spoken by a Russian.
--Peter Clark"

and for our .br friends

"Portuguese is essentially Brazilian without vowels.
--Lu=EDs Henrique"

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