# On Foreign Nonsense explained — Lavengro

> Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Lavengro

The narrator and hero, a scholar of many tongues who loves his country and its language.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/iii-on-foreign-nonsense
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters