Englishman in New York

[Offroad]

Dear teachers and friends

I believe you all have already heard of a song by Sting named 'Englishman in New York', in this song, the composer says 'I am a legal alien, I am an Englishman in New York'. I wonder why the composer would use such words. Did he assume that English people are not as sophisticated?

Thanks

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear teachers and friends

I believe you all have already heard of a song by Sting named 'Englishman in New York', in this song, the composer says 'I am a legal alien, I am an Englishman in New York'. I wonder why the composer would use such words. Did he assume that English people are not as sophisticated?

Thanks

Which word in the quoted lyrics do you think has any connection with sophistication?

 

[Offroad]

Which word in the quoted lyrics do you think has any connection with sophistication?

None, it just sounded like New York was a bit too sophisticated for foreigners.

 

[emsr2d2]

None, it just sounded like New York was a bit too sophisticated for foreigners.

I'm still confused. Why do you think that sentence sounds like New York is too sophisticated for foreigners?

 

[mara_ce]

Dear teachers and friends

I believe you all have already heard of a song by Sting named 'Englishman in New York', in this song, the composer says 'I am a legal alien, I am an Englishman in New York'. I wonder why the composer would use such words. Did he assume that English people are not as sophisticated?

Thanks

Hi, Offroad!

I think the song refers to this: Alien (law) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Offroad]

I'm still confused. Why do you think that sentence sounds like New York is too sophisticated for foreigners?

I guessed. I'd like to know opinions.

Hi, Offroad!

I think the song refers to this: Alien (law) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

yes, it explains a lot.

Thanks

 

[konungursvia]

In the US, the word alien is an old legal term for a foreigner.

 

[Tdol]

Quentin Crisp, the subject of the song, said he wanted to become a naturalised citizen in the USA so he could commit crimes- a legal alien in order to break the law.

 

[SoothingDave]

In the US, the word alien is an old legal term for a foreigner.

It's the present legal term, too.

 

[Offroad]

Mara_ce sent me this a link from which I could get this:

In Sting's song Englishman in New York he refers to the term "Legal Alien", what is a "Legal Alien"?

Being a legal alien means you are allowed to be somewhere, but don't really fit in. Sting has the perfect example: The Englishman in New York.

A typical Englishman, distinquished, high esteem, upper class, can feel quite out of place when positioned in New York, which is high speed, high energy, fast, and a bit brutal.

The formal definition of a legal alien is:
"An alien who is legally permitted to remain in a country which is foreign to him or her. On specified terms, this kind of alien may be called a legal alien of that country."
source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(law)

I hope none of you take this as an offense.

This is one of the videos I can't stop listening to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flWP28y2cyw