If you're reading this in English

[undyingking]

Interesting post in languagelog about a bumper sticker saying "If you can read this, thank a teacher. And if you're reading it in English, thank a soldier."

I won't reiterate the discussion there¹ -- but I wondered if anyone had seen this sentiment expressed in the UK, where it would make a lot more sense as a proposition, in relation to WWII². Has anyone in the UK seen or heard of the teachers' message being added to / hijacked in this way?

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1 Except to say that I favour the "ill-thought-out generalized right-wing puffery" theory.
2 Of course one might argue that Battle of Britain aircrew, naval convoys, or Russians, were more to thank, but leave that for now.

Comments

[mr-malk.livejournal.com]

I can see the likelihood of a new ruling elite insisting that all government documents are in their own language, and possibly that official business be conducted in it.

I think it was pretty recent (in the last 10 years) that Parliament abandoned the practice of writing new English laws on vellum, in Norman French. Can you imagine that? On vellum. In Norman French!!! That's what I love about this country, we have the best anachronisms (or we did before New Labour got into power anyway... I don't think it's even compulsory to practise archery on a Sunday nowadays)!