Re: Languages used by British royals (late 19th century)

On Apr 17, 11:38 pm, "Candide" <PityMePi...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"Sacha" <sa...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:C42D8327.6ADD5%sacha@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On 17/4/08 19:50, in article l_MNj.16082$vz2.4192@trndny05, "Candide"
<PityMePi...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Toby" <tstanbr...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:cc918d56-8099-48a4-a0d6-69510e2456e8@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx





Does anyone what was the main language used by Queen Victoria and
Prince Albert between themselves and between them and their
children?
Was it German or English or both? I think that the children used
English exclusively when talking or writing to each other but maybe
they used German with their spouses (Alexandra excepted of course
as
she was so anti-German even though she probably spoke and wrote it
like a native).

Also, did Queen Alexandra ever teach Danish to her children?

Thanks

Queen Victoria spoke fluent German, and French. The former was the
language she first spoke as a child (not surprisingly since her
mother,
governess and much of the household was German).

The language spoken at home by the royal family was German, which
probably had much to do with Prince Albert's who though spoke
English
well enough, probably preferred his native German. Remember also
this
was the era when many imperial, royal, noble and other high ranking
families spoke another language at home instead of the native
tongue.
This was done for many reasons, in some cases because of marriages
between partners who did not speak the native tongue in common (such
as
Nicholas II and Alexandra who spoke either English or French to each
other as Nicholas did not speak German, and Alexandra did not speak
Russian). It was also done because in an era when one was surrounded
almost the whole day by servants and others, the only way to
communicate
without being over heard.

Most upper class children of that time had German lessons from what
I've
read of the period.  French seems to have come in as the second
language
taught at school at a later date.  Queen Elizabeth is said to be
fluent in
French and Prince Michael is fluent in Russian.
--
Sacha

Victorians for some reason preferred German over say French, which
accounts for Lady Bracknell's comment regarding German music; however
French did  have it's uses. For instance there were all those French
lady's maids, and a need to speak in a language the ever present
servants could not understand (pas devant les domestiques), when wishing
to communicate a private matter.

This clearly comes from someone who has never lived in a household
with servants. How does one keep anything private from people who
change one's sheets and empty one's wastepaper basket?


There was also the fact French was the official language of diplomacy.
Gentlemen seeking appointments in the diplomatic core needed a firm
grasp of French to get on.

For young ladies growing up of HM's generation, and several afterwards,
speaking French was almost a must to be considered accomplished. What
French tutors and private schooling did not perfect, a year or two at a
good finishing school took care of the matter. Who can forget the allure
of Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy giving an interview in fluent French.

How amazing that a lady called Jacqueline Bouvier could do such a
thing!
.

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