As recently as the eighteenth century, England happily installed a German king, George I, even though he spoke not a word of English and reigned for thirteen years without mastering his subjects' language. Common people did not expect to speak like their masters any more than they expected to live like them.
In the eighteenth century, England welcomed German king George I, who ruled for thirteen years without knowing the English language. His inability to communicate in English did not diminish his reign, as the common populace did not anticipate speaking the same way as the aristocracy. This highlights the social divide and the general acceptance of different language barriers among different classes.
The quote reflects a historical perspective on language and class dynamics, illustrating how the expectations of the common people contrasted sharply with that of the ruling elite. Language proficiency was less about the ability to communicate across the classes and more about the distinction between rulers and their subjects, emphasizing a significant cultural and social separation that persisted over time.
