British Studies Compiled by
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Unit 1: BRITAIN – Country & People
THE UK
Capital: London
Size: 248,528 km²
Population: 67.081 M (2021)
Location: northwest of Europe
England: 56.223 M (2021)
Territorial:
The British Isles Consists of 2 large islands (Ireland, Great Britain) and several much
smaller isles.
Ireland Smaller isle, also called “Erin” or “The Emerald Isle”, evoking the
lush greenery of its countryside.
The Republic of Ireland State on the south of the isle Ireland
Northern Ireland The protestant northern part of Ireland, that still belongs to the UK.
Great Britain Biggest isle = Scotland, Wales, England
The UK The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Small parts with special political arrangements:
The Channel Islands (Quần đảo Eo Biển) includes the Isle of Man or called Crown
Dependencies. They have a complete internal self-government including an own Parliament
and an own tax system. They are ruled by a Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the
British Parliament.
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Albion
The Romans gave this name to Britain (because of the white chalk cliffs around Dover south
coast of England). This name is used in poetic and rhetorical context to refer to Britain.
Briton
A formal word to talk about a citizen of Britain. The Ancient Britons were the people living in
England before and during the Roman occupation, who are the ancestors of the Welsh people.
Britannia:
The Romans gave this name to England, and the female
embodiment of Britain: wearing a helmet and holding a trident -
the symbol of power over the sea - which explains Rule Britannia,
Britannia rule the waves. For hundreds of years her picture used to
be on the reverse side of coins.)
Caledonia The Romans gave this name to Scotland
Cambria The Romans gave this name to Wales
Hibernia The Romans gave this name to Ireland
John Bull
A personification of England (like Uncle Sam in the USA)
A fictional character for a typical English country gentleman of the 18 th century
Identifying symbols of the four nations:
England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland
Flag
St George’s cross Dragon of St Andrew’s cross St Patrick’s cross
Cadwallader
Lion rampant Republic of Ireland
Plant Rose Leek (Daffodil) Thistle Shamrock
Colour White Green Red Green
Patron Saint St George St David St Andrew St Patrick
Saint’s day 23 April 1 March 30 November 17 March
Race and origin:
The people in Northern Ireland, Wales and northern Scotland are from Celtic origin, while the
inhabitants of England and the southern part of Scotland descend form Germanic tribes. This
British Studies Compiled by
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difference can be seen in the language spoken in those areas: In Ireland people speak Irish Gaelic,
in Scotland Scottish Gaelic and in Wales Welsh, all Celtic languages. The modern English is derived
from various Germanic dialects.
Passports: The same for whole the UK
Surnames:
”Mac” of “Mc” are Scottish or Irish [MacCarthy, McCall]
”O’” is Irish. [O’Brien, O’Hara]
Davis, Evans, Jones, Lloyd, Morgan, Price, Williams and Rees are typically Welsh surnames.
Smith is the most common surname in both England and Scotland.
The Scottish equivalent for John is “Ian”, the Irish “Sean”.
Nicknames and stereotypes:
Scot: “Jock” Miserly Being careful with money
Irishman: “Paddy” or “Mick” Great talkers
Welshman: “Dai” or “Taffy” Singing ability
Kilt:
A skirt with a tartan pattern worn by Scottish men. It is very well known though it is
hardly ever worn in every-day life.
Musical instruments:
Scotland: Bagpipes
Wales & Ireland: Harp
Domination of England:
Using the name “England” to talk about Britain or the UK is a mistake. However England is the
dominating nation in the UK? Why? --> Check it yourself.
Flag of the UK
Called the “Union Jack”, is a combination of the three crosses shown on the
previous page.
Give an example of the complicated division of loyalties among many people in Britain:
During the Eurovision Song Contest of 1992 there were only two countries that still had
a chance to win: UK and Ireland. BBC Commentator Terry Wogan – an Irishman that
was Britains’s most popular commentator – spoke about both the UK and Ireland as
“we”.
Homework
Why and how does England dominate the UK?
https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/best-and-worst-british-eyes-world
https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine?_ga=2.71872215.594483229.1511592442-
746574335.1511592442
British Studies Compiled by
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British Studies Compiled by
NTT
1. Why and how does England dominate the UK?
- England is the most populous (84% of the UK)
- English – the international language - comes from England
- London in England is recognized financially world wide as a powerhouse stock exchange.
- The capital of the UK is in England - the center of finance, politics, business, culture..
2. Anglo-Saxon:
Is derived from the “Anglons”, a Germanic tribe that came to England in the 5 th century. They
also gave their name to England of Angleland. Anglo-Saxon is any member of the Germanic
peoples who, from the 5th century to the time of the Norman Conquest (1066), inhabited
and ruled territories that are today part of England and Wales.
From http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/United-Kingdom.html
There are certain stereotypes of national character, which are well-known in Britain.
The Irish are supposed to be great talkers, the Scottish have a reputation for being
careful with money, and the Welsh are renowned for their singing ability.
Most of the British live in towns and cities, but they have an idealised vision of the
countryside as they love nature.
Boudicca was a Celtic Queen who led a rising against the Romans in southern Britain
in AD 61.
The Anglo-Saxons wanted to spread their pagan religion throughout Britain.
There is no climate in the UK, only weather, and it’s smoggy all year round.
