I have had the privilege of spending about 20 years of my life outside England.
Like the vast majority of my fellow countrymen and women, I have never felt motivated to learn a foreign language. I suspect many of us in this country feel inept at learning another language.
Academics were bemoaning on BBC radio this morning this English resistance to learning another language. Most politicians and diplomats rely on their hosts in other countries to speak English.
One amusing story emerged.
Years ago a senior English politician had lunch with the conservative French Prime Minister at the time. He wanted to impress the French Prime Minister with his command of French.
The politician wanted to tell the French PM that he envied his position as head of government in France.
In perfect French, the Englishman said instead to the French Prime Minister: “I lust after you in every position.”
VIVA LA FRANCE!
I ‘m going to stick with English.