Not like the rest at all ?

[amateur51]

Do you seriously believe the language is in danger? Why do you think there is such a demand for English teachers around the world?

What many English people are unaware of is that their monolingualism is actually the exception. Those people speaking their own languages on the train with other native speakers very probably slipped into English when talking to English people.

Exactly jean. And having spent all day speaking English, it provides them with some welcome relief to speak with another in their own language, knowing that when they get home the banter about school with their children will be a mix of the two.

[Richard Barrett]

Why is it xenophobic, or even surprising that someone might feel, that Britain and a shared British culture should be maintained? Can you not see that many people would want to maintain Britain's civic national culture, and that would include maintaining the language. Regarding immigration, the issue here would be that Britain will not remain as it is, if the current level of unprecedented immigration continues.

It is xenophobic because it emanates from a fear of whatever changes might be wrought on British society by this supposedly massive influx of foreigners. And this is exactly the same sentiment you yourself express in fearing that "Britain will not remain as it is." Britain has never remained "as it is". Like all societies it is in a constant state of flux and history shows us it always has been, and that much of this change has come about as a result of influences from the rest of the world. Who can claim to be directly descended from the "original" inhabitants of the UK? Certainly not Nigel Farage whose ancestors came over with their fellow Huguenots as asylum-seekers. And the English language is probably the least-endangered language that presently exists. If the British Isles sank into the sea it would still be spoken all over the world.

[Richard Barrett]

You or I may, or may not agree with this approach, but why should someone not hold these views?

Because they are bigoted, small-minded and dangerously intolerant.

[Flosshilde]

I do not see this as xenophobic. He is speaking from a British civic concept perspective.

I do get the feeling that BO is getting increasingly desperate in his replies, slipping into gibberish here & there.

[jean]

And the English language is probably the least-endangered language that presently exists. If the British Isles sank into the sea it would still be spoken all over the world.

Mind you, it was never the same after the Norman invasion.

[french frank]

Mind you, it was never the same after the Norman invasion.

No, everything went aux chiens.

[Richard Barrett]

Mind you, it was never the same after the Norman invasion.

That's true, and before that the Angles and Saxons and Jutes and Vikings, and before them the ubiquitous Romans with their unification of Europe, and then after the Normans the aforementioned Huguenots, and then all the Asians, Africans and Jews... it's a wonder there was still anything recognisable as Britain for all the recent EU immigrants to move to.

[Flosshilde]

It could be said that the only truly unique British characteristic is the way in which different peoples are absorbed into a heterogeneous mix, changing and being changed by it. Robin Cook gave an example of this process - '"Chicken Tikka Massala is now a true British national dish, not only because it is the most popular, but because it is a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences." He went on to explain that "Chicken Tikka is an Indian dish. The Masala sauce was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy." '

[Beef Oven!]

Do you seriously believe the language is in danger? Why do you think there is such a demand for English teachers around the world?

What many English people are unaware of is that their monolingualism is actually the exception. Those people speaking their own languages on the train with other native speakers very probably slipped into English when talking to English people.

The language is not in danger, that's not the point. The point is that in order to integrate properly into British life, migrants must use the English language - nobody disputes that.

Whilst many migrants are able to speak English, too many are unable. It's a recognised problem throughout the country.

[Beef Oven!]

It is xenophobic because it emanates from a fear of whatever changes might be wrought on British society by this supposedly massive influx of foreigners. And this is exactly the same sentiment you yourself express in fearing that "Britain will not remain as it is." Britain has never remained "as it is". Like all societies it is in a constant state of flux and history shows us it always has been, and that much of this change has come about as a result of influences from the rest of the world. Who can claim to be directly descended from the "original" inhabitants of the UK? Certainly not Nigel Farage whose ancestors came over with their fellow Huguenots as asylum-seekers. And the English language is probably the least-endangered language that presently exists. If the British Isles sank into the sea it would still be spoken all over the world.

Britain (and many other countries) have not been in a constant state of flux, culturally. It's been pretty boring for at least a thousand years, in that regard.

Influence from abroad, as you say, has indeed had its impact on Britain, but the unprecedented level of immigration that Britain is currently experiencing is altogether different.

The language is not in danger, that's not the point. The point is that in order to integrate properly into British life, migrants must use the English language - nobody disputes that.

Whilst many migrants are able to speak English, too many are unable. It's a recognised problem throughout the country.

[Beef Oven!]

Because they are bigoted, small-minded and dangerously intolerant.

You've decided that they are, but most people don't share your view. Certainly most countries in the world think differently to you on this matter.

[jean]

The language is not in danger, that's not the point....

In that case, I am not sure what you meant by saying that it needed to be maintained.

...The point is that in order to integrate properly into British life, migrants must use the English language - nobody disputes that.

No, but you and Nigel seem to want them to use it even on occasions when they're talking with people from their own language communities.

Whilst many migrants are able to speak English, too many are unable. It's a recognised problem throughout the country.

Recognised by whom?

There is certainly a problem of some women in some communities being expected to stay at home and not learn English, I'll grant you that.

Otherwise, I don't know who you are talking about.

[Beef Oven!]

In that case, I am not sure what you meant by saying that it needed to be maintained.


Recognised by whom?

There is certainly a problem of some women in some communities being expected to stay at home and not learn English, I'll grant you that.

Otherwise, I don't know who you are talking about.

Maintained as the universal language.

Recognised by social services, healthcare providers and the communities themselves. And it's not just women who stay at home

[jean]

Maintained as the universal language.

Have you told the Welsh?

I have to tell you that every Pole I have ever met in this country spoke English far better than I ever spoke Polish when I lived there.

[Beef Oven!]

Have you told the Welsh?

They know.