Language

"The impairing of the native tongue is because of two things. One is that children in schools, contrary to the usage and customs of all other nations are compelled to drop their own language and to construe their lessons and their other things in a foreign language*, and have done so since the foreigners** first came. Also gentlemen's children are taught to speak this language*** from the time that they rocked in their cradle and can talk and play with a child's trinket;

and up-country men want to liken themselves to gentlemen, and try with great effort to speak this tongue**** so as to be thought the more of."

* French

** Normans

*** French

**** French

A Chester monk writing in 1364 on the desperate straits of the English language. I changed the words to make it look familiar. Who would have thought? If they could do it then so can we!