Lavengro · Chapter
On Foreign Nonsense explained
The author critiques the English tendency to idolize foreign languages, literatures, and customs, particularly the Germanomania prevalent among Anglo-Germanists.
What happens
The author critiques the English tendency to idolize foreign languages, literatures, and customs, particularly the Germanomania prevalent among Anglo-Germanists. He defends English language and culture, citing historical examples like Andrew Borde, and argues for a balanced appreciation of foreign cultures without losing national identity.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Belonging
The chapter emphasizes the importance of maintaining English identity and pride in one's own language and culture amidst foreign influences.
Philology and Learning
The author discusses the study of foreign languages and literatures, advocating for a balanced approach that does not lead to self-abasement or foolishness.
Freedom vs. Convention
The critique of blindly following foreign fashions reflects a tension between individual freedom to explore and the conventional pressure to conform to foreign trends.
Characters to notice
- Lavengro
The narrator and hero, a scholar of many tongues who loves his country and its language.
Key passages
“No sooner have they picked up a smattering of this or that speech than they begin to abuse their own country, and everything connected with it, more especially its language.”
As soon as they learn a little of another language, they start criticizing their own country and its language.
The author criticizes the tendency of English learners of foreign languages to disparage their own nation.
“Of all infatuations connected with what is foreign, the infatuation about everything that is German, to a certain extent prevalent in England, is assuredly the most ridiculous.”
The most absurd foreign obsession in England is the craze for all things German.
The author singles out Germanophilia as particularly foolish.
“I am an Englishman, and naked I stand here, Musing in my mind what garment I shall weare; For now I will weare this, and now I will weare that, Now I will weare, I cannot tell what.”
I am an Englishman, standing naked, unsure what to wear, constantly changing my mind about fashions.
Andrew Borde's poem illustrates the historical English fickleness regarding foreign fashions.