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The air of the English is down-to-earth. They care about details; there's a tradition, but there's also a counter-culture: the younger generation versus the older generation and so on. But then that's well blended into a happy balance and crystallised into common sense.

Some of the substance of English words, I just don't understand at all because the culture's so strange to me.

I've always felt very English.

They place great stress on the clarity of our language for expressing nuances and showing subtleties.

Sometimes people have a difficult time understanding my English.

Usually, English personalities are difficult; they don't take criticism easily.

English, as a subject, never really got over its upstart nature. It tries to bulk itself up with hopeless jargon and specious complexity, tries to imitate subjects it can never be.

The conventionality of the English is something I find unattractive - the whole lack of joy in the physical.

I love English. I learned it from the speeches of Winston Churchill.

What I see as specially English is the charm - everyone is so polite. Being restrained is part of the charm. And I love the sense of humour - it takes me back to Australia. The English are great at making fun of themselves. They're so self-effacing.