|
By Henry Samuel in Paris
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France has been taking intensive English lessons in order to impress his guests during his state visit to the UK.
While Mr Sarkozy, 53, will make his speech to a joint session of Parliament in French, he is said to be keen to impress the Queen and Gordon Brown with a few well-chosen turns of phrase in private conversation.
"The president is very eager to demonstrate his commitment to all things Albion", said one French official, and that includes speaking the language.
Mr Sarkozy is said to be comforted by the fact that Gordon Brown's French is dire.
His friend Tony Blair, however, is a fluent French-speaker, even once addressing the National Assembly in French.
Should the president's English dry up, linguistic help is at hand in the shape of his polyglot wife, Carla Bruni, a native Italian who speaks perfect French and English.
Mr Sarkozy will be on his best behaviour as he tries to show the French that he has the presidential stature many accuse him of lacking.
During the visit, Mr Sarkozy and Mr Brown are due to make a series of defence cooperation deals, announce closer ties on developing nuclear energy and make a joint statement on the global financial crisis, as well discussing immigration and the EU.
Mr Sarkozy has rarely hazarded speaking English in public, but is immortalised in one internet clip dating back to his time as finance minister where he tells foreign investors: "We will be 'appy to 'elp you make money in France", in a barely comprehensible Clouseau twang. | 
