Newbury students learn the hidden complexities of the English language they won’t learn at school

Students and teachers at an international boarding school recently observed a talk on the ‘third dimension’ of the English language.

Writers and linguists Anthony Fitzgerald and Beata Holeckova have co-authored a book entitled Beyond English.

The new title explores the hidden complexities and meanings behind common English expressions from the perspective of non-native speakers.

And they presented some of their findings to around 40 foreign speakers, aged between 12 and 17, at Newbury Hall.

Mr Fitzgerald, who lives in Chilton Foliat, said how Britain’s historic reputation as an aggressive, imperial power resulted in a need to develop a non-confrontational language.

He added the perceived politeness of British people comes from this need to defuse hostile situations and a religious sense of fairness – but questioned the impact on foreign speakers learning English.

Mrs Holeckova, who lives in Hungerford and teaches at Newbury Hall, said she found this politeness ingenuine, unnecessary and even two-faced after emigrating to England from Slovakia.

She shared how she and her fellow Czech and Slovak expats struggled to adapt to this overly polite speaking style.

She used the example of someone asking another person in a corridor how they were and them replying in full – despite the former likely not wishing to hear their reply in that moment.

She added the consequence of foreign speakers failing to adapt is they risk being seen as rude – and asked why they should have to fully adapt at all.

The pair concluded it was crucial foreign speakers entering higher education and working life in England try to understand these dual meanings.

They said the same applied for colloquialisms and humour, other essential parts of English equally confusing to foreigners.

Mr Fitzgerald cited Monty Python as an example of a classic British TV comedy whose humour might bypass non English-speaking viewers.

Meanwhile, the slapstick humour of Mr Bean is universally enjoyed, as was Chaplin before him.

The pair emphasised their book is based on observations and generalisations, not science.

They met by chance in Hungerford and started work on the book six months ago.

It now available to buy at https://shorturl.at/YImeW to buy for £7 on Amazon.