The British have long been notorious for their lack of ability in foreign languages but there are signs that, far from becoming more cosmopolitan as paid-up members of the European Union, they are getting worse.

According to recent research by the British Council, 82% of British people consider themselves unable to communicate well in a foreign language, 40% have found themselves in embarrassing situations on holiday as a result of their incompetence, and 18% have ordered food off menus without the slightest idea of what it was – and without being illuminated when the food arrived.

The Barton syndrome

The most striking figure, though, is perhaps that 17% of the 2,000 British participants in the poll confess to have spoken English in a foreign accent to get their message across. Out of fear of the foreign, 18% of us stay primarily in resorts (and avoiding too much contact with the “locals”) and 21% stick to British restaurants (instead of facing the possible horrors of local cuisine).