Our new lingua franca

THAT English has traditionally been the global lingua franca, means we’ve been tardy about learning foreign languages. Indeed, most children pass through primary school here without a word of French, German or Spanish. Now, thanks to post-Brexit jitters, we’ve joined the International Organisation of Francophone Nations – to strengthen ties with France when Britain leaves the EU. European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee’s response to critics of the move was to say we have a ‘passion’ for French. Obviously, a passion we’ve kept well under control.