Mind Your Language - Revision history

Kurt at 15:17, 25 August 2024

2024-08-25T15:17:27Z

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	* Malaysia: ''Cakap Melayu Lah'' (In [[Malaysian language\|Malay]])<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://galaksi-media.com/hiburan-astro-warna-lancar-sitkom-terbaru-cakap-melayulah/\|title=(HIBURAN) Astro Warna Lancar Sitkom Terbaru, Cakap Melayulah! \| Galaksi Media\|access-date=10 July 2020\|archive-date=3 January 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103083712/https://galaksi-media.com/hiburan-astro-warna-lancar-sitkom-terbaru-cakap-melayulah/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Oh My English!\|Oh My English!]]'' (in English)		* Malaysia: ''Cakap Melayu Lah'' (In [[Malaysian language\|Malay]])<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://galaksi-media.com/hiburan-astro-warna-lancar-sitkom-terbaru-cakap-melayulah/\|title=(HIBURAN) Astro Warna Lancar Sitkom Terbaru, Cakap Melayulah! \| Galaksi Media\|access-date=10 July 2020\|archive-date=3 January 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103083712/https://galaksi-media.com/hiburan-astro-warna-lancar-sitkom-terbaru-cakap-melayulah/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Oh My English!\|Oh My English!]]'' (in English)
	* Malta: ''[[Klassi Għalina\|Klassi Għalina]]'' (in [[Maltese language\|Maltese]])		* Malta: ''[[Klassi Għalina\|Klassi Għalina]]'' (in [[Maltese language\|Maltese]])
	* Nigeria: ''Second Chance!'' (in English),<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|title=Nollywood kills Nigeria's Television Drama - Vanguard News\|date=11 June 2011\|access-date=16 September 2015\|archive-date=24 August 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824174641/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Jami'ar Albarkawa'' (in [[Hausa language\|Hausa]])~~{{cn\|date=February 2022}}~~		* Nigeria: ''Second Chance!'' (in English),<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|title=Nollywood kills Nigeria's Television Drama - Vanguard News\|date=11 June 2011\|access-date=16 September 2015\|archive-date=24 August 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824174641/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Jami'ar Albarkawa'' (in [[Hausa language\|Hausa]])
	* Sri Lanka: ''Raja Kaduwa!'' (in [[Sinhala language\|Sinhala]])<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-date=21 December 2021 \|url-status=live\|title=Raja Kaduwa 2008-01-06 (Part 01)\|date=8 January 2008\|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>		* Sri Lanka: ''Raja Kaduwa!'' (in [[Sinhala language\|Sinhala]])<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-date=21 December 2021 \|url-status=live\|title=Raja Kaduwa 2008-01-06 (Part 01)\|date=8 January 2008\|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
	* United States: ''[[What a Country!\|What a Country!]]''		* United States: ''[[What a Country!\|What a Country!]]''

Kurt at 19:56, 27 March 2023

2023-03-27T19:56:58Z

Show changes

Kurt: /* International remakes */

2022-10-13T16:15:22Z

International remakes

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:15, 13 October 2022
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	* Nigeria: ''Second Chance!'' (in English),<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|title=Nollywood kills Nigeria's Television Drama - Vanguard News\|date=11 June 2011\|access-date=16 September 2015\|archive-date=24 August 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824174641/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Jami'ar Albarkawa'' (in [[w:Hausa language\|Hausa]]){{cn\|date=February 2022}}		* Nigeria: ''Second Chance!'' (in English),<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|title=Nollywood kills Nigeria's Television Drama - Vanguard News\|date=11 June 2011\|access-date=16 September 2015\|archive-date=24 August 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824174641/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Jami'ar Albarkawa'' (in [[w:Hausa language\|Hausa]]){{cn\|date=February 2022}}
	* Sri Lanka: ''Raja Kaduwa!'' (in [[w:Sinhala language\|Sinhala]])<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-date=21 December 2021 \|url-status=live\|title=Raja Kaduwa 2008-01-06 (Part 01)\|date=8 January 2008\|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>		* Sri Lanka: ''Raja Kaduwa!'' (in [[w:Sinhala language\|Sinhala]])<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GvUFAM4P-kA \|archive-date=21 December 2021 \|url-status=live\|title=Raja Kaduwa 2008-01-06 (Part 01)\|date=8 January 2008\|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
	* United States: ''[[What a Country!]]''		* United States: ''[[w:What a Country!\|What a Country!]]''

	==Criticism of racial stereotypes==		==Criticism of racial stereotypes==

Kurt at 16:14, 13 October 2022

2022-10-13T16:14:00Z

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	\| list_episodes = List of Mind Your Language episodes		\| list_episodes = List of Mind Your Language episodes
	}}		}}
	'''''Mind Your Language''''' is a [[British sitcom\|British sitcom]] that premiered on [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] in 1977. It was produced by [[London Weekend Television\|London Weekend Television]] and directed by Stuart Allen. Three series were made by the [[London Weekend Television]] between 1977 and 1979 and briefly revived in 1985 (or 1986 in most ITV regions) with six of the original cast. The series shows people of different countries with different social background, religions, and languages existing in the same classroom, learning English as a foreign language.		'''''Mind Your Language''''' is a [[w:British sitcom\|British sitcom]] that premiered on [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] in 1977. It was produced by [[w:London Weekend Television\|London Weekend Television]] and directed by Stuart Allen. Three series were made by the [[w:London Weekend Television\|London Weekend Television]] between 1977 and 1979 and briefly revived in 1985 (or 1986 in most ITV regions) with six of the original cast. The series shows people of different countries with different social background, religions, and languages existing in the same classroom, learning English as a foreign language.

	==Summary==		==Summary==

Kurt at 16:13, 13 October 2022

2022-10-13T16:13:23Z

Show changes

Kurt at 18:03, 21 September 2022

2022-09-21T18:03:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 21 September 2022
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	{{Short description\|British sitcom aired between 1977–1986}}		{{Short description\|British sitcom aired between 1977–1986}}
	~~{{Multiple issues\|~~
	~~{{more citations needed\|date=December 2014}}~~
	~~{{original research\|date=March 2017}}~~
	}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2022}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2022}}
	{{Use British English\|date=June 2012}}		{{Use British English\|date=June 2012}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-09-21T17:45:48Z

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← Older revision	Revision as of 12:45, 21 September 2022
(No difference)

en>Arjayay: Duplicate word reworded

2022-09-07T20:03:42Z

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{{Short description|British sitcom aired between 1977–1986}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=December 2014}}
{{original research|date=March 2017}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Mind Your Language
| image = Mindyl1.jpg
| caption = Title screen of the series
| camera = [[Multiple-camera setup|Multiple-camera]]
| picture_format =
| runtime = 25 minutes
| creator = [[Vince Powell]]
| composer = [[Max Harris (composer)|Max Harris]] (series 1–3) Kin Kelly (series 4)
| writer = Vince Powell
| developer =
| producer = Stuart Allen (series 1–3) [[Albert Moses]] (series 4)
| executive_producer = Bachu Patel (series 4)
| presenter = Sharad Patel (series 4)
| starring = [[Barry Evans (actor)|Barry Evans]] [[Dino Shafeek]] [[Zara Nutley]] [[Albert Moses]] [[George Camiller]] Jacki Harding [[Ricardo Montez]] [[Robert Lee (actor, born 1913)|Robert Lee]] [[Pik-Sen Lim]] [[Kevork Malikyan]] [[Jamila Massey]] [[Françoise Pascal]] [[Anna Bergman]] [[Tommy Godfrey]] [[Iris Sadler]]
| country = United Kingdom
| company = [[London Weekend Television]] (series 1–3) TRI Films (series 4)
| network = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| genre = Sitcom
| first_aired = {{Start date|1977|12|30|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1987|3|6|df=y}}
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 42
| list_episodes = List of Mind Your Language episodes
}}
'''''Mind Your Language''''' is a [[British sitcom]] that premiered on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] in 1977. It was produced by [[London Weekend Television]] and directed by Stuart Allen. Three series were made by the [[London Weekend Television]] between 1977 and 1979 and briefly revived in 1985 (or 1986 in most ITV regions) with six of the original cast. The series shows people of different countries with different social background, religions, and languages existing in the same classroom, learning English as a foreign language.

==Summary==
The show is set in an [[adult education]] college in London and focuses on the class in [[English as a second or foreign language|English as a Foreign Language]] directed by Mr Jeremy Brown ([[Barry Evans (actor)|Barry Evans]]), who teaches a group of [[foreign student|enrolled foreigner]]s.

==Cast and characters==
[[File:Countries Represented in Mind Your Language.png|375px|thumb|Countries represented in ''Mind Your Language'' (series 1–3)]]
===Series 1-3===
* [[Barry Evans (actor)|Barry Evans]] (42 episodes) as Jeremy Brown, the English teacher and focal point of most of the series. He is a good-natured, earnest single man in his thirties who lives alone (apart from his [[Siamese cat]] Josephine, whom he mentions in "The Examination"). He has a Bachelor of Arts from [[University of Oxford|Oxford University]]. He was hired in the series pilot, in which he was warned that the students drove the previous teacher insane. Mr Brown is up to the challenge but often exasperated by the students' creative interpretations of the English language.
* [[Anna Bergman]] (21 episodes) as Ingrid Svenson (series 2, 4), a [[Swedes in the United Kingdom|Swedish]] [[au pair]] who joins the class at the beginning of series 2. She is attractive and straightforward about her attraction to Mr Brown, sparking a rivalry between her and Danielle Favre. Her main problem with English is word order, often getting words mixed up, such as "you for I question answer". She transfers schools at the end of Series 2, but returns in the independently produced Series 4.
* [[George Camiller]] (42 episodes) as Giovanni Capello, a stereotypical [[Italians in the United Kingdom|Italian British]] [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] chef, the class's loudspeaker and de facto class monitor. He is best friends with Max, who becomes his flatmate. Giovanni's main problem with English is understanding [[metaphor]]s and large words, though he often answers wrongly on purpose to amuse the class. He often calls Mr Brown ''Professori''. When shocked or surprised, he often catchphrases like "Santa Maria", "Santa Daisy", "Okey Cokey", "Buona Sera" or "Holy Ravioli". When he doesn't understand something he says ''scusi''. He has an elaborate set of first names: Giovanni Vincenzo Marco Dino Alberto Leonardo etc. His last name is sometimes spelled "Cupello" in the closing credits.
* [[Tommy Godfrey]] (20 episodes) as Sidney (series 1–3), the school [[Janitor|caretaker]], a rough, roguish [[Cockney]] in his sixties who speaks in [[Cockney rhyming slang|rhyming slang]]. Only Miss Courtney calls him by his full name; everyone else calls him Sid. He dislikes his long-term partner and wears a [[Mourning dress|black tie]] on their anniversary. Despite not being married, he routinely refers to her as his wife. He is [[Hearing loss|hard of hearing]], which often creates misunderstandings. He is very fond of alcohol and tricks the students into buying drinks for him and giving him money. He also steals supplies from the school and sells them. He is friendly with both Mr Brown and Gladys.
* [[Jacki Harding]] (42 episodes) as Anna Schmidt, a stereotypical [[Germans in the United Kingdom|West German]] who works as an au pair. In her introduction, she refers to "German efficiency"; accordingly, she's a hardworking student, occasionally asking legitimate questions, and as the series progresses, answering Mr Brown's questions correctly. Her main problem is [[Pronunciation of v in German|mixing ''v'' and ''w'' sounds]]. She also [[Code-switching|punctuates her sentences with German words]]. She is shown to have the exceptional physical strength and she is never reluctant to show it, often punching fellow students, such as Max, if they try to flirt with her. While in one episode, she said that [[Lutheranism]] was the true religion while the students were having an argument, but in the episode "How's Your Father" she said that there's no life after death.
* [[Robert Ya Fu Lee|Robert Lee]] (29 episodes) as Tarō Nagazumi (series 1–3), a [[Japanese community of London|Japanese]] electronics executive who works as a representative for the London branch of the fictional Japan-based electronic company, [[Bushido]] Electronics. He speaks English quite fluently, but has a habit of adding ''-o'' to almost every word he says (as in "thank-o," "England-o," and so on) and always replies "Ah-So!" and bows whenever he is called on. Early in the series he is at odds with Su-Lee due to Japan and China's own political differences in the 1970s but they become friends later on. Most of the time he is seen with his [[camera]].
* [[Pik-Sen Lim]] (27 episodes) as Chung Su-Lee (series 1–3), a stereotypical [[Chinese community in London|Chinese]] communist woman who works as a secretary at the Chinese Embassy. She is never seen without her [[Quotations from Chairman Mao|Little Red Book]] of [[Mao Zedong|Mao]], from which she often quotes. She constantly [[De-rhotacism|mixes up her ''r'']] and [[Lambdacism|''l'' sounds]]. Early in the series, she had a fierce ideological rivalry with Taro, her Japanese classmate, but later in the series, he often springs to her defence when a character insults her or China. When she quotes Chairman Mao, Mr Brown replies "That's a matter of opinion".
* [[Kevork Malikyan]] (29 episodes) as Maximillian Andrea Archimedes Papandrious (series 1–3), stereotypical [[Greeks in the United Kingdom|Greek]] [[Greek Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] shipping-agency worker from [[Athens]] who is often paired with Giovanni. He is attracted to Danielle, but as the show progresses, the three become friends. Max tends to misunderstand metaphors and large words. He also has a heavy accent, which causes him to add ''h'' to the beginning of almost every word that starts with a vowel sound. Later, he shares his flat with Giovanni, with whom he is close friends; these two characters have the best command of the English language of all the students in the series.
* [[Jamila Massey]] (29 episodes) as Jamila Ranjha (series 1–3), a stereotypical [[Indian community of London|Indian]] housewife from [[Shimla]]. When she first joins the class she barely speaks any English - she rants in [[Hindi]] when Mr Brown asks her name, and when she finally does understand, she writes her name on the blackboard in Urdu because she cannot write it in English. Although she needs Ali to translate for her in the first series, by Series 3 she shows a marked improvement and is able to communicate in English without needing any help. She often calls Mr Brown "Masterji" (Hindi roughly meaning "teacher" or "professor"), and her catchphrase early in the series is "''gud hefening''" (which is how she pronounces "good evening"). She often brings her knitting to class. She is shown to be a [[Christians|Christian]] in the episode "Guilty or Not Guilty", when she swears on the [[Bible]] to tell the truth. From "A Point of Honour" onward she wears a [[cross necklace]], but in the same episode she suggests that [[Buddhism]] is the true religion when the students argue about it. Also, in the episode "I Belong to Glasgow", she [[Sign of the cross|crosses]] herself along with Jock, Danielle, Max and Giovanni.
* [[Ricardo Montez]] (42 episodes) as Juan Cervantes, a [[Spaniards in the United Kingdom|Spanish]] Catholic bartender with an optimistic outlook. Juan is always laughing at himself, confident of his answers even when they are completely wrong. Early in the series, Juan speaks almost no English (apart from episode 2 where he describes Miss Courtney as "Plenty awesome, very good!") and answers everything with "''por favor''" (please), necessitating Giovanni to translate some key terms for him (as Spanish and Italian have many [[mutually intelligible]] words). His typical catchphrase is "s'alright!" and sometimes when he is corrected he says "Sorry, wrong number". Juan's English improves as the series goes on, but he remains one of the worst speakers, often speaking [[Spanglish|a mix of English and Spanish]]. He cares a great deal for Mr Brown, whom he considers almost as part of his family.
* [[Albert Moses]] (42 episodes) as Ranjeet Singh, a [[London Underground]] employee from [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] in [[India]] and a religious [[Sikh]]. In the first episode, Mr Brown mistook him for a [[Pakistanis|Pakistani]] when he asked him to sit next to his "fellow countryman", Ali Nadim. He has a good vocabulary but tends to mix up his general knowledge, and upon being corrected he always puts his hands together and says "a thousand apologies". When angered, he threatens his tormenters with his [[kirpan]]. He usually comes late to class. In "A Fate Worse Than Death", a woman named Surinder appeared at the school and he told everyone that they had been betrothed to each other as children, but he no longer wished to marry her. He often clashes with Ali, but become friends in the later episodes of the series. Although from India, he was still shown as being from Punjab as if it were a different country.
* [[Zara Nutley]] (42 episodes) as Dolores Courtney, the stuffy, imperious [[Head teacher|principal]] of the school. Miss Courtney has a great dislike of the male gender, thinks women are superior to men, and prefers female teachers. She hesitates to hire Mr Brown, but reluctantly puts him on a month's trial. She likes to drop by the English classroom unannounced to check up on the progress of Mr Brown's students, and often leaves disappointed. She nearly eloped with a man in her early years, but was caught and sent home by her father. However, it was revealed that she was only six years old at the time and the "man" was eight. Her first name was mentioned only in the episode "Brief Re-Encounter". She has a Master of Arts from Oxford.
* [[Françoise Pascal]] (29 episodes) as Danielle Favre (series 1–3), an amorous young [[French migration to the United Kingdom|French]] Catholic [[au pair]] who instantly grabs the attention of all the men, including Mr Brown. Her good looks often distract Giovanni and Max from their answers, while Mr Brown is often found in seemingly incriminating positions with her, and she is strongly attracted to him. She is annoyed when Ingrid joins the class, instigating a rivalry for Mr Brown's attention.
* [[Iris Sadler]] (20 episodes) as Gladys (series 1–3), the [[tea lady]] in the school cafeteria, most often referred to as "Gladys the tea lady". She is a vivacious, friendly woman in her seventies. In Series 3, it is revealed that she is a widow. She has a friendly relationship with both Sidney and Mr Brown. She often cajoles Mr Brown and tattles on Miss Courtney.
* [[Dino Shafeek]] (29 episodes) as Ali Nadim (series 1-3), a [[Muslims|Muslim]] from [[Lahore, Pakistan]]. Religious and cultural differences often bring him into conflict with Ranjeet. He is one of the most honest and hardworking students in the class, which sometimes gets Mr Brown and him into trouble. He used to work at the Taj Mahal Tandoori Restaurant, but is unemployed at the beginning of the series and later gets a job as a [[Peddler|travelling salesman]]. He is married, and his wife Rehana appears in "Better to Have Loved and Lost" and "What a Tangled Web"; in the latter episode, they have had a child.
* [[Gabor Vernon]] (8 episodes) as Zoltan Szabo (series 2), a [[Hungarians in the United Kingdom|Hungarian]] man from [[Budapest]]. He speaks almost no English, constantly saying "Bocsánat?" (Hungarian for "Excuse me?") and relying on his [[phrase book]] to help him communicate. Juan and Giovanni teach him many slang expressions, but he remains the worst speaker in the class. He has an English girlfriend in "All Present If Not Correct", but she beats him up after he gives her an insulting letter that Mr Brown had intended to deliver to Miss Courtney. He is fond of music and [[Magic (illusion)|magic tricks]], implying that he works as an [[List of entertainer occupations|entertainer]], and returns to [[Hungary]] after Series 2 ends.

===Series 4 only===
* [[Sue Bond]] (13 episodes) as Rita, the new tea lady replacing Gladys.
* Marie-Elise Grepne (13 episodes) as Michelle Dumas, a student from France.
* [[Jenny Lee-Wright]] (13 episodes) as Maria Papandrious, a student from Greece and the sister of Maximillian Papandrious.
* [[Harry Littlewood]] (13 episodes) as Henshawe, the new caretaker of the school replacing Sid.
* Raj Patel (13 episodes) as Farrukh Azzam, a student from Pakistan.
* [[Vincent Wong (UK actor)|Vincent Wong]] (13 episodes) as Fu Wong Chang, a student from China.

==Production==
===Development===
The series was commissioned by [[Michael Grade]], Director of Programmes at [[London Weekend Television]].<ref name="Mason">{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Rowena|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5206668/Michael-Grade-at-ITV-it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time.html|title=Michael Grade at ITV: it seemed like a good idea at the time|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 April 2009|access-date=23 January 2019|archive-date=23 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223050/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5206668/Michael-Grade-at-ITV-it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The majority of recordings for the first three series took place on Tuesday evenings in Studio Two at the [[The London Studios|South Bank Television Centre]].

Using this series as an example, Sarita Malik, in ''Representing Black Britain'' (2002) wrote that "Blacks, Asians or 'race' were usually the butt of the joke", which "tended to hit a racist note, but always in a well-meaning, benevolent tone". She continued that "never before had so many diverse races... been seen in the same television frame, but they had never clung so tightly to their popular crude national stereotypes."<ref name="Malik96">{{cite book|last=Malik|first=Sarita|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_wsGArTpQQ0C&pg=PA97|title=Representing Black Britain: Black and Asian Images on Television|location=London|publisher=Sage|year=2002|pages=96–97|isbn=9780761970279|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120025248/https://books.google.com/books?id=_wsGArTpQQ0C&pg=PA97|url-status=live}}</ref>

The series attracted about 18 million viewers. Grade cancelled the programme having considered the [[stereotyping]] offensive.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/5888240/Vince-Powell.html|title=Vince Powell|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 July 2009|access-date=23 January 2019|archive-date=23 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123224741/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/5888240/Vince-Powell.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "It was really irresponsible of us to put it out", he told Linda Agran at the [[Edinburgh International Television Festival|Edinburgh Television Festival]] in 1985.<ref name="Malik96" />

===International screenings===
The series continues to be screened internationally, particularly in the countries represented in the series onscreen.<ref>Jonathan Rigby, DVD commentary on ''Die Screaming Marianne'' starring Barry Evans, 2005.</ref> The series was sold to Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Kenya, Nigeria,<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zVOtEpvGM5YC&q=%22Mind+Your+Language%22 ''The International World of Electronic Media''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712175610/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zVOtEpvGM5YC&q=%22Mind+Your+Language%22 |date=12 July 2020 }}, Lynne S. Gross, McGraw-Hill, 1995, page 243</ref> Ghana, Singapore and Hong Kong. It was also one of the first British TV programmes shown in South Africa after the end of the boycott by the [[British Actors' Equity Association]].<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2AlBAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Mind+Your+Language%22 ''New Statesman and Society''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712182152/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2AlBAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Mind+Your+Language%22 |date=12 July 2020 }}, 30 September 1994, page 31</ref> It was also broadcast in Canada on [[CBC Television]] from 1978 until 1982. The series was screened by some minor or independent [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC TV]] stations in the United States during 1985.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ABs5AAAAIAAJ&dq=%22Mind+Your+Language%22 ''TV Guide''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712173113/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ABs5AAAAIAAJ&dq=%22Mind+Your+Language%22 |date=12 July 2020 }}, Volume 33, Triangle Publications, 1985, page A-36</ref>

==Episodes==
{{see also|List of Mind Your Language episodes|}}

==DVD releases==
The series was released as a "Best of" four-disc box set on Region 2 DVD in 2003 (Cinema Club), and on Region 1 DVD in 2004 (Granada). However, these sets exclude the Series 1 episode "Kill Or Cure", the Series 2 episode "Don't Forget the Driver", the Series 3 episode "Guilty or Not Guilty?" and all of Series 4.

Another four-DVD box set, ''The Complete LWT Series'', released by Network in November 2007 contains all episodes of Series 1–3.

==International remakes==
International television shows based on the premise of ''Mind Your Language'' include:
* India: ''[[Zabaan Sambhalke]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k9/dec/dec80.php|title=Shemaroo releases home video of TV show Zabaan Sambhal Ke|date=8 December 2009|website=Indian Television Dot Com|access-date=4 April 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308014520/https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k9/dec/dec80.php|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Zaban Sambhal Ke]] (in [[Hindi]])
* Indonesia: ''[[Kelas Internasional]]'' (in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHLPV2dp35g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/vHLPV2dp35g |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Kelas Internasional - Episode Perdana - Perkenalan - Part 1/3|last=Kelas Internasional|date=20 June 2015|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Jordan: [[:ar:العلم نور (مسلسل)|العلم نور]] (''al-ʿilm nūr''; in [[Arabic]])
* Kenya: ''Classmates''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tivi.co.ke/meet-the-classmates/ |title=Meet the Classmates |access-date=16 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305033327/http://tivi.co.ke/meet-the-classmates/ |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref>
* Malaysia: ''Cakap Melayu Lah'' (In [[Malaysian language|Malay]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://galaksi-media.com/hiburan-astro-warna-lancar-sitkom-terbaru-cakap-melayulah/|title=(HIBURAN) Astro Warna Lancar Sitkom Terbaru, Cakap Melayulah! | Galaksi Media|access-date=10 July 2020|archive-date=3 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103083712/https://galaksi-media.com/hiburan-astro-warna-lancar-sitkom-terbaru-cakap-melayulah/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Oh My English!]]'' (in English)
* Malta: ''[[Klassi Għalina]]'' (in [[Maltese language|Maltese]])
* Nigeria: ''Second Chance!'' (in English),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/|title=Nollywood kills Nigeria's Television Drama - Vanguard News|date=11 June 2011|access-date=16 September 2015|archive-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824174641/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/nollywood-kills-nigeria%E2%80%99s-television-drama/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Jami'ar Albarkawa'' (in [[Hausa language|Hausa]]){{cn|date=February 2022}}
* Sri Lanka: ''Raja Kaduwa!'' (in [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvUFAM4P-kA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GvUFAM4P-kA |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Raja Kaduwa 2008-01-06 (Part 01)|date=8 January 2008|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* United States: ''[[What a Country!]]''

==Criticism of racial stereotypes==
[[David Aaronovitch]] notes that even [[Michael Grade]], the commissioner of the series, regrets that ''Mind Your Language'' was ever broadcast:

{{Blockquote|text=In 1979, BBC2’s ''Open Door''<ref>{{ cite episode | title=It Ain't Half Racist, Mum | series=Open Door | network=BBC | date=1979 }}</ref> carried a scathing critique of TV tolerance of racial stereotypes and its contribution to negative perceptions of immigrants. It was titled ''It Ain’t Half Racist, Mum'' and it’s a shocker. Google it. The excerpts from [[It Ain't Half Hot Mum|IAHHM]] are bad enough, but those from the ITV sitcom ''Mind Your Language'', in which an Asian character loafs happily on the dole while two families of his relatives inhabit his one room, are simply appalling. The ''Open Doors'' documentary showed the executive responsible defending the programme as conducive to racial harmony. Six years later its commissioner, Michael Grade, admitted it should never have been aired. At its peak 18 million viewers watched it.<ref>{{cite news | last=Aaronovitch | first=David | date=13 July 2022 | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/penny-mordaunt-misreads-the-comfort-of-nostalgia-vl8m5w7pf | title=The Times: How Penny Mordaunt wound up the nostalgia lobby | work=The Times | access-date=16 July 2022 | archive-date=16 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716154818/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/penny-mordaunt-misreads-the-comfort-of-nostalgia-vl8m5w7pf | url-status=live }}</ref>}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}

* {{British Comedy Guide|tv|mind_your_language}}
* {{IMDb title|0075537}}
* {{Screenonline TV title|1108213}}

{{Vince Powell}}

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[[Category:ITV sitcoms]]
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