Language Learning in Cyprus: Historical Insights into English Education and National Identity

1. LANGUAGE LEARNING IN CYPRUS from a HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: THE SEED to EUROPEAN DIMENSION

2. ENGLISH OCCUPATION • 12th July 1878 British flag hoisted in Nicosia • 1st High Commissioner: • Sir Garnet Wolseley • July 1878 - June 1879

3. CONDITIONS IN CYPRUS “There is hardly upon earth a more wretched spot than Cyprus” H. C. Report • EDUCATION: - a few Primary Schools - Secondary basically non-existent - standard: very low

4. LANGUAGE SITUATION • FRENCH - Language of the Lusignans - ruled Cyprus 400 years (1192 – 1409) • ITALIAN - widely spoken • ENGLISH - only ONE person: Demetrios Pierides (King’s College 1825)

5. COMMUNICATION PROBLEM • Legislative Council 14/9/1879 • Debates trilingual • No one available to translate documents (Principal of Robert College Constantinopole) • Age of the Dragoman

6. DIAGNOSIS and a GREAT TRUE Letter to the Times 20/7/1878 by J.S. Blackie writer pointed out the language problem and … ‘It will be our duty, of course, in the administration of this island, to gain the sympathies and to understand the wants of the great majority of the population:

7. DIAGNOSIS and a GREAT TRUE and I need not say to any person who has had to deal with foreigners that the grand key at once to a knowledge of their interests and to the affection of their hearts is a familiarity with their spoken Language.’ 1879: general desire - raise standard of education & learn English

8. Because of LANGUAGE PROBLEM Any attempt by British to initiate changes in education: - suspicion - ulterior motives - criticised by the church - reaction considered national duty

9. REVEREND JOSIAH SPENCER • Sent by society for the propagation of the Gospel • 1880: English School at his Chaplaincy • School: failure • Formal opening: Present: Archbishop Armenian Bishop • Wishes for success (p. 24) • So far the church on good terms with British

10. BLUNDERS & MISMANAGEMENT • Greek Language discarded completely • Incident in Limassol: British derided religious procession (p. 27) • Home Government very careful - Local government tactless (p. 28) • H.C. Limassol Warren returned letter of Bishop of Kition (p. 29) • Reverend Spencer - Anglican Religion:

11. BLUNDERS & MISMANAGEMENT (replacement of religion & language) (p. 30) • Sir R. Biddulph: Report: ‘English would be the first step towards advancement in higher subjects.’ • Nicosia Hellenic School: English taught by Xanthippides - not a good job • Spencer: Only Englishmen should teach English

12. BLUNDERS & MISMANAGEMENT • Suggested establishment of English Schools in all towns (p. 34) • 21st January 1881: Cobham H.C. of Larnaca suggested: English History, Geography & Grammar form the Curriculum (p. 38) • From now on Spencer was not to be trusted (p. 38)

13. BLUNDERS & MISMANAGEMENT • Bishops: Unscrupulous attempt to undermine the national feelings of the Greeks • Mismanagement: defeat Spencer’s own purpose • The efforts of H.C. Biddulph & Cobham & Spencer failed, did not persuade Gladstone

14. BLUNDERS & MISMANAGEMENT • Lord Kimberley extolled the excellence of the Greek language (p. 41/2). Useless to make English the vehicle of education • Lord Kimberley: encourage teachers to learn English: sensible approach • Learning of English → option

15. NATIONAL DEMAND (1881) • Spencer should go • 29 December 1881 Spencer relieved of duties of director • demoted to Inspector

16. THE FIRST YEARS • Policy of local government different from home government • Ill conceived attempt by denationalisation • Results different from what was anticipated

17. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE STRUGGLES FOR ACCEPTANCE • Next ten years: changes • Fairfield colonial office official 1883 • Spread of English desirable • Disapproved of the means used • Motivation (clerkships, prizes, to the Cypriots advantage, avoid suspicion of ulterior motives)

18. THREE RACES • Two races administered by third • Ignorance of native language: Integration • Preference to natives - government posts - later by competition • Recognition of necessity to learn Greek Most of the Turks spoke Greek Some forgot Turkish

19. THREE RACES • Allowance to those who learned New Language • Lord Kimberley favoured maintenance of Spencer’s school • By 1884 English was definitely gaining (status - practical advantages)

20. ATTITUDE OF CHURCH • Spread of English: Detrimental to religious & political interests • The English ignored the Church as a political organisation • Demand ‘ab antique reights’ regarding education • 23rd April Departure of H.C. Biddulph: relief

21. ATTITUDE OF CHURCH • Disparity of conceptions • The Educational System the British wanted to establish: reflected their aims and policies

22. SHY RECOGNITION of the VALUE of ENGLISH • By 1893 establishment of full Gymnasium • Pancyprian Gymnasium: English part of the curriculum • As time passed more schools were established: all included English (Rizokarpaso 1917) • English: Education more liberal

23. SHY RECOGNITION of the VALUE of ENGLISH • Duty of government: to show not only intrinsic value but material benefits • Adversaries: Religion, Greek language & nationalism • Paradox: Cypriots took to learning English despite the preaching. Yet in the last stages - Renaissance of Nationalism

24. SHY RECOGNITION of the VALUE of ENGLISH • As early as 1887 - QUESTION: How should Cypriots be brought up? ‘As Britons or as Greeks’ • Agnes Smith 1887: should gain a view of the English culture through their own language

25. UPS & DOWNS • Despite opposition by 1890: English: - ultimate aim for government jobs - badge for class distinction instead of means of communication & understanding • means for securing economic & other social benefits • due to incentives fast gaining ground

26. ATTACK ON FOREIGN SCHOOLS • Around 1898 • Two reasons: - Language of instruction: English - Proselytising Centres BUT main reason: CURRICULUM • Positive reaction: render them unnecessary

27. FEARS REKINDLED • By 1899 after declaration of Lord Kimberley (1881) • Language policy of H.C. Haynes Smith (1898 - 1905)

28. FOUR PROPOSALS • After a certain period of time teachers had to pass a qualifying exam in English to be appointed. • English necessary qualification for civil employment • Englishmen should teach English in each district • English should be the language of the island

29. REACTIONS • Protest & demonstrations • Bishop of Kition: ‘did not disapprove but considered it as superfluous. People should learn their language first.’ • Bonus system: Bribe - Meetings: Teachers coerced / encouraged / forced - declaration: not teach English

30. FINAL OUTCOME • Decision of Government that Greeks should also teach English • Classes for teachers organised • High Commissioner report 1900 - Teaching of English satisfactory footing - “Those who direct the agitation for ‘Enosis’ - compel the signing of declaration.”

31. FINAL OUTCOME • Teachers were appointed in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca • Land Registry Clerks & ‘Saptiehs’ were instructed • Military Police also • By middle 1901 English → 2nd language taught in all secondary schools • English exams take place

32. FINALLY • English won a respectable place at least among Government officials & educated people • Position of prestige - social, political, economic - demanded retention & diffusion

33. DEATH of Rev. SPENCER 1901 • Blow to plans of H.C. • They turned the feelings of the people against them • Cause: their feelings towards Greek • Death of Spencer: Hope for improvement

34. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION COSTAS MARKOY FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION