Comments
Will English always be the dominant language?
2009-04-11 10:02:02
In a Paris cab last week, an Algerian driver picked up on something I said and told me the French word 'hasard' (chance) came directly from Arabic. He had seen me on a TV programme the night before and said as an 'ecrivain', I ought to know that.
First, I still feel odd when people describe me as a writer. Second, I felt this was a very high level of knowledge expected by cabbie of customer. Still, it was better than the usual London fare of can Lampard play with Gerrard, why doesn't Gordon smile more and they should hang the muppet who invented roadhumps (I think it happened on Ken Clarke's watch, but he should not be hanged in my opinion).
I had no way of knowing if my Arabic-French lesson was accurate, but when he started telling me his favourite Shakespeare plays, then reciting from them (in Arabic - again, no way of knowing) I realised I was with a very special taxi driver.
'Mais vous,' he said 'vous avez de la chance.'
'Pourquoi?' I asked.
'Ah, l'anglais monsieur ... C'est la langue de toutes les langues.'
It hasn't always been, and I'm not just talking about Latin. Even when I was at school, and there came the moment of A Level choices, and I was still keen on maths, I remember my parents talking about the Common Market, and how it meant we would all need one or more of the European languages. So English, French, German it was.
I've kept up my French, mainly through reading and holidays, but my German, like my bagpipes of yesterday's blog and vlog, has gone shamefully rusty. Though a lot came back during the World Cup of 2006, there are eleven year old Germans who speak my language better than I speak theirs.
When I lived in France 31 years ago, I used to rather enjoy the efforts to minimise the influence of English on French. Successive French Presidents would try in different ways to halt the onward march of OK, sandwich, burger bar.
But the power of Anglo-Saxon culture, particularly film and music, has been too strong. I'm not sure where Sarkozy stands on the French protection front, but his more pro-US position than Chirac (who spoke more English than he let on) suggests the onward march will continue.
It is nonetheless embarrassing to watch otherwise well educated Brits in French restaurants unable to ask for bread or water without sign language or shouting. And equally embarrassing to watch foreign footballers speak better English than some of ours do. But maybe the US and UK arrogance on languages is what helped make us dominant in the first place.
As for my taxi driver, he told me that when my grandchildren are growing up, either Arabic or more likely Mandarin will be the dominant languages. I doubt it, though he did seem very wise.
Meanwhile, partly to show off, partly to continue to promote my novel (Portugese translation rights latest to be sold) and partly because another only-in-France type TV programme sent me the tape, I have put up on the vlog section the programme the driver was talking about, La Grande Librairie. J'espere que ca vous amuse ou interesse. (Apologies for lack of accents. My computer only speaks English).
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Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
john akroyd
2009-04-12 09:20:00...sorry, thought of something else! Does the present decomposition of the global economy mean we will see a resurgence of regional languages? (The corollary being that US economic dominance has been the vehicle for US cultural dominance).
As a parent of (just) school-age children, I feel a nascent responsibility to encourage them to learn Breton.
Or should we all learn Chinese and be really well prepared??
john akroyd
2009-04-12 09:12:43As an Englishman living in Brittany I reluctantly accept the cultural superiority of France. In fact, they do most things better than us, apart from the quality of their driving which is a disgrace. (French driving instructors should drive hearses and cut out the middlemen).
Two unconnected observations: any French acceptance of the cultural pre-eminence of 'English' language is based almost entirely on US popular culture: shows like CSI and Dexter are massive here.
I also think a lot of French cultural confidence springs from an instinctual comfort that they live in a big country: like the Americans, and distinctly unlike us. Perhaps if we had a bit more productive land, we wouldn't be cultural vikings?
Alan Quinn
2009-04-11 22:04:08I just think that, quite rightly the French wish to protect their own culture wheras we seem to import too much crap from the US.
I also think the French are fantastic people (nothing to do with a certain M. Cantona), we once had a problem with our car in France and it ended up at a VW main dealer, the mechanic thoroughly checked it out, said the car was fine and then proceeded to refuse our offer of payment. "Un cadeau, au revoir" he said.
Brian Hughes
2009-04-11 17:53:25Having heard how protective the Parisians were of the French language, I was astonished on my first ever visit to Paris in 2003 (why did I leave it so long?) to find le Métro plastered with advertisements for learning English - specifically Business or “Wall Street” English.
My daughter, after doing her French exchange, made a good point about why it's easier for French children to learn English than vice versa; they're bombarded with song lyrics in English from a tender age and so pick up some vocabulary and accent alongside their own language.
But it's really American they learn! The owners of the sightseeing boats on la Seine seem to have recognised this subtlety. They offer two sorts of English amongst their 17 or so language commentary options - English English or International English...
Alina Palimaru
2009-04-11 16:16:16Speaking of your book, all the French reviews I have read so far are extremely positive. The French are very sophisticated readers and they admit to being thoroughly impressed by the depth and ingenuity of your novel. Here are a few extracts from the French press.
"Incontestablement, Alastair Campbell a réussi son coup. 'Tout est dans la tête', son premier roman, se lit fort bien. Les états d’âme du psy sont décrits méthodiquement. On ressent ce qu’il vit intérieurement. Il en va de même pour la galerie de patients. Leurs blessures psychologiques sont criantes de vérité."
Jean-Christophe Chanut
La Tribune
"L'intérêt du roman, outre la multiplicité des situations qui toutes sont plausibles mais traitées avec assez de distance pour qu'on ne se croie pas dans une série télévisée, réside dans la composition simultanée, concomitante, du personnage du docteur Sturrock."
Stephane Denis
Le Figaro
"Avec 'Tout est dans la tête', Alastair Campbell a assurément écrit un roman qui « fonctionne ». C'est un drame, dominé par deux personnages : le psychiatre, submergé par les pathologies de ses patients, lui-même borderline . Et puis un ministre alcoolique, qui sera finalement contraint à la démission après avoir suivi un ancien mannequin et être ainsi tombé dans un piège tendu par un tabloïd. De ces histoires dont raffolent les médias britanniques. Les « anciens », comme les « nouveaux »."
Thierry Portes
Le Figaro
"Le premier roman d'Alastair Campbell révèle la face fragile de l'ancien conseiller en communication de Tony Blair."
Roberte Jourdon
Ouest France
...and one mention in Switzerland
"Que fait un psychiatre lorsqu’il a besoin d’un psychiatre? C’est le point de départ du dernier roman d’Alastair Campbell, Tout est dans la tête. Le professeur Sturrock est un psy londonien renommé. Les patients défilent sur son divan. Mais voilà, le professeur n’en peut plus. Il frise la dépression. Le roman d’Alastair Campbell explore la relation particulière qui lie le psy et son malade, sur le ton de la dérision."
La Tribune de Genève
Eric Chelsea fan
2009-04-11 13:38:09Never mind can Gerrard play with Lampard. Can Gerrard play with Michael Essien on his back? No, he can't, as Barack Obama might say. Liverpool's secret weapon defused for good!
Aaron Barclay
2009-04-11 13:36:22The taxi driver may be right. English dominates because the British Empire once did, and in our lifetimes the USA. If power shifts away to the East,perhaps Chinese languages will come to dominate. Heaven help us if that happens.We Americans are even worse than you Brits at not learning languages
Roy J Thomas
2009-04-11 12:55:48I too enjoy taxi drivers. We have great drivers in Cardiff . Most are Muslim as we have a fine Muslim community-12 mosques.But forget other languages Welsh is making a come back.
My favourite story is of a MIT language professor who said "...to lose the welsh language (or for that matter any language) would be like dropping a bomb on the Louvre -losing a civilisation ."
Alina Palimaru
2009-04-11 10:51:07I agree with the cab driver regarding languages (he probably used to be an underpaid scholar in his native country, who knows?). The global dominance of a particular language has more to do with the economic and political positioning of the nation(s) that speak(s) it rather than with the difficulty of learning the language. The same theory, in my view, is applicable to codified versions of languages, which explains why today's standard English is the one we know and not, say, Jamaican English. Therefore, I suspect his predictions regarding Arabic and Mandarin may be accurate, although projected a few decades down the road. Judging by the number of native speakers, Mandarin Chinese is already the most spoken language in the world, followed by Spanish, English, Bengali, Hindi and Arabic. Economic and political changes in China, India and the Arab-speaking world already suggest that cultural and linguistic re-alignments are underway.
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