Joseph Conrad is a writer who until 20 years did not speak English. The writer was born in the family of a Polish nobleman and spent his childhood in Vologda, where his father was in exile. At age 16, he became a sailor, and at 23 he moved to England without knowing the language. Having learned English as an adult, he mastered them so well that he now learns those for whom this language is native.

English became Conrad's fourth language - Polish, French and Russian, he learned even in childhood, although he did not give up on Russian knowledge in every way, so hatred towards Russia was rooted so deeply. He did not even read Russian literature.

English language Joseph Conrad learned at an advanced age and spoke on it with a strong accent. He was better understood when he wrote. However, he first wrote with numerous mistakes. Friends and editors who read his early novels, had to make a lot of small adjustments and changes in them. At the same time, his punctuation always remained very unusual. In a certain sense, Conrad underestimated his own achievements. He was not just chosen by the spirit of English - he changed it and adapted it to his powerful poetic vision of the world.