In November, Eddie Izzard received The 2014 Public Language Champion award. Guardian readers had been invited to nominate public figures who promote the value of speaking another language.
Eddie Izzard is a long-time supporter of language learning. His international tour, Force Majeure, involves him speaking French, German, Spanish and Arabic.
I think his words totally sum up the importance of learning another language and what the benefits are. I couldn’t have put it better myself!
He said. “I believe we have to tell people that learning another language is actually an adventure. It is tough, it needs work, but what it will do is that it will open up another country to you with all the colours of their people, their food, their customs, their sports and their culture. And you will become a better human being by going on that adventure.”
Arsène Wenger, manager of Arsenal football club, won the award last year.
Having admired Eddie’s ability to speak and learn new languages, for some time, I think he was the perfect choice for this award. Do you agree? And do you have any other suggestions for the award, perhaps?
Here’s a clip from one of Eddie’s performances in which he’s talking about learning French. If you are easily offended by ‘bad’ language, it may not be for you ….
I love the blog. Some great photos. I saw the Great Canal Journeys programme too. It was beautiful. Please keep blogging!
LikeLike
I’m not sure if you will receive this so long after it was posted. Hopefully you will.
I adored the Eddie Izzard clip. It had me laugh out loud. It’s so true about how we learnt French in far gone days. I took my French ‘O’ level fifty years ago . I did easonably well and went on to do ‘A’ level. Despite the dreadful teaching I found a life long love of la belle France and have loved reading your blog. Serious envy!!
With best wishes Sue Rob
LikeLike
Hello Sue. What a lovely surprise to read your comment! I’m so glad you liked the Eddie Izzard clip and reading my blog. It’s one of the best aspects of blogging, I think, when one connects with someone who has the same passions! Best wishes June
LikeLike