This quote refers to what era: "The right was not prepared to concede any ground at all...." ??

[DFW]

19. Sort of a hobby that led to one very cool job

I started learning languages early, and got a very unique posting (now station chief for Europe for my outfit), in part because I never stopped learning them. I'm at nine so far. Well, nine and a half if you include Schwyzerdüütsch (Swiss German). Because much of my work depends heavily upon personal contacts--mostly in Europe, and mostly in the local languages--I pick up on regional differences.

I try to adapt wherever I am. The people really appreciate it--FINALLY an American whose first words are NOT "Do you speak English?" But I'm not perfect in every language, and sometimes the resulting reactions are kinda funny. Once, in the Netherlands, a local told me I had almost lost my accent, but he could still tell from my Dutch that I was originally from South Africa (never been there in my life).