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UNIT 2
PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE
2.1. WHO ARE THE BRITISH?
Slide Unit 2
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2.1.1. Why British not English?
Many foreigners say “England” and “English” when they mean “Britain”, or the “UK”, and
“British”. This is very annoying for the 5 million people who live in Scotland, the 2.8 million in
Wales and 1.5 million in Northern Ireland who are certainly not English. However, the people from
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England are all British. So what is the difference between the
names ‘Great Britain’ and ‘the United Kingdom”- and what about ‘the British Isles’?
The United Kingdom is an abbreviation of ‘the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland’. It is often further abbreviated to ‘UK’, and is the political name of the country which is
made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Several islands off the British coast are
also part of the United Kingdom (for example, the Isle of Wight, the Orkneys, Hebrides and
Shetlands, and the Isles of Scilly), although the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not.
However, all these islands do recognize the Queen.
Great Britain is the name of the island which is made up of England, Scotland and Wales.
The British Isles is the geographical name that refers to all the islands off the north west coast of
the European continent: Great Britain, the whole of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of
Man.
2.1.2. How was the United Kingdom formed?
This took centuries, and a lot of armed struggle was involved. In the 15th century, a Welsh prince,
Henry Tudor became King Henry VII of England Then his son King Henry VIII united England
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Henry Tudor, became King Henry VII of England. Then his son, King Henry VIII, united England
and Wales under one Parliament in 1536. In Scotland a similar thing happened. The King of
Scotland inherited the crown of England and Wales in 1603, so he became King James I of England
and Wales and King James VI of Scotland. The Parliaments of England, Wales and Scotland were
united a century later in 1707.
The Scottish and Welsh are proud and independent people. In recent years there have been
attempts at devolution in the two countries, particularly in Scotland where the Scottish Nationalist
Party was very strong for a while. However, in a referendum in 1979 the Welsh rejected devolution
and in 1979 the Scots did the same. So it seems that most Welsh and Scottish people are happy to
form part of the UK even though they sometimes complain that they are dominated by England, and
particularly by London.
The whole Ireland was united with Great Britain from 1801 up until 1922. In that year the
independent Republic of Ireland was formed in the South, while Northern Ireland became part of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
King James
King Henry VIII
2.1.3. Invasion
What makes the Scottish, Welsh, English and Northern Irish different from each other? About 2,000
years ago the British Isles were inhabited by the Celts who originally came from continental
Europe. During the next 1,000 years there were many invasions. The Romans came from Italy in
AD 43 and, in calling the country ‘Britannia’, gave Britain its name. The Angles and Saxons came
from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands in the 5th century, and England gets its name from
this invasion (Angle-land). The Vikings arrived from Denmark and Norway throughout the 9th
century, and in 1066 (the one date in history which every British school-child knows) the Normans
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y, ( y y )
invaded from France. These invasions drove the Celts into what is now Wales and Scotland, and
they remained, of course, in Ireland. The English, on the other hand, are the descendants of all the
invaders, but are Anglo-Saxon than anything else. These various origins explain many of the
differences to be found between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland - differences in education,
religion and the legal systems, but most obviously, in language.
Question: Who invaded Britain?
Complete the table below with information from the text:
INVADER FROM DATE
the Romans
Answer Key
2.1.4. Language
The Celts spoke Celtic which survives today in the form of Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish
Gaelic. Less than a quarter of all Welsh people (600,000, out of 2,888,000) speak Welsh. Scottish
Gaelic and Irish Gaelic are still spoken, although they have suffered more than Welsh from the
spread of English. However, all three languages are now officially encouraged and taught in
schools.
English developed from Anglo-Saxon and is a Germanic language. However all the invading
peoples, particularly the Norman French, influenced the English language and you can find many
words in English which are French in origin. Nowadays all Welsh, Scottish and Irish people speak
English (even if they speak their own language as well), but all the countries have their own special
accents and dialects, and their people are easily recognizable as soon as they speak.
Occasionally, people from the four countries in the UK have difficulty in understanding one
another because of these different accents. A southern English accent is generally accepted to be the
most easily understood, and is the accent usually taught to foreigners.
2.1.5. Multiracial Britain
Recently, there have been many waves of immigration into Britain and movement within the UK.
For example, many people from Wales, Scotland and Ireland have settled in England; Jews,
Russians, Germans, and Poles have come to Britain (particularly London) during political changes
in the rest of Europe.
Commonwealth citizens were allowed free entry into Britain until 1962. Before the Second World
War these immigrants were mostly people from Canada Australia New Zealand and South Africa3/11
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War these immigrants were mostly people from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In the 1950s, people from the West Indies, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong were
encouraged to come and work in Britain. Today, 2 million British people are of West Indian or
Asian origin and over 50 per cent of them were born in Britain.
The new immigrant communities are concentrated in the following towns and cities: London,
Slough, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Luton, Bradford, Coventry, Bedford, Reading and
Sandwell. The main language of the Asian immigrants are Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati,
and Cantonese (Chinese). Nowadays the policy is to encourage these communities to continue
speaking their own languages as well as English. The children of immigrants are often taught their
own languages in school, and there are special newspapers, magazines, and radio and television
programmes for the Asian community. The West Indians, of course, arrive speaking English, but
they do have their own culture which they wish to keep alive. They also have their own newspapers,
and radio and television programmes.
This latest wave of immigration has, of course, caused problems. There is certainly racial tension
and racial prejudice in Britain today. In spite of laws passed to protect them, there is still
discrimination against Asian and black people, many of whom are unemployed or in low-paid jobs.
However, the atmosphere is improving and the different races are slowly learning to trust one
another. In a wide educational programme white school-children, teachers, policemen and social
workers are learning about the problems and customs of their new neighbours. There are many areas
in Britain now where racial harmony is a reality.
British culture is being enriched through its contact with other cultures. For example, the British
are becoming more adventurous in their cooking and eating habits, and Chinese, Indian and
Pakistani restaurants are very popular. Another example can be found in the pop music scene where
West Indian reggae music has become very influential.
(from Spotlight on Britain, pp. 2-4)
Questions:
1. What is the government’s policy on immigrants’ languages?
2. What problems do the immigrants have to confront?
3. What have been done to solve these problems?
Answer Key
2.1.6. Anglo Saxon Religion
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The Anglo-Saxons were pagans when they came to Britain, but, as time passed, they gradually
converted to Christianity. Many of the customs we have in England today come from pagan
festivals.
The Anglo Saxons believed that they were controlled by superhuman people - gods and goddesses.
They also believed they were directly descended from their gods.
Religion was a means of ensuring success in material things. For example, you might pray to a
particular goddess for a successful harvest, or for victory in battle.
The Saxon gods were similar to the gods of Vikings.
Examples of Saxon Gods:
Woden - god of war
Frigg - goddess of love
Thunor - god of thunder
Tiw- god of battle
Days of the Week:
Certain days of the week are named after early Saxon gods:
Monandæg ( the day of the moon ),
Tiwesdæg ( the day of the Germanic sky god Tiw. Tiu or Tig),
Wodnesdæg ( the day of the god Woden (Othin) ),
Ðunresdæg ( the day of the god Ðunor or Thunor ),
Frigedæg ( the day of the goddess Friga, wife to Woden),
Sæternesdæg ( the day of the Roman god Saturn, whose festival "Saturnalia," with its exchange of
gifts, has been incorporated into our celebration of Christmas.),
Sunnandæg ( the day of the sun ).
From Pagan to Christianity:
In AD 597 the Pope in Rome sent a missionary, St Augustine, to England to convert the Anglo
Saxons to Christianity. The pope gave orders that pagan temples should be converted into Christian
ones and that pagan celebrations should also be made into Christian ones.
(from Woodlands Junior School Kent Website)
Questions:
1. What religion did the Anglo-Saxons follow?
2. Where do the names of the days of the week originate from?
Answer Key
2.2. INFLUENCES
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2.2. INFLUENCES
2.2.1. The Celts
Between the sixth and the third century BC, the British Isles were invaded by Celtic tribes, who
settled in southern England. They originally came from central Europe. Their culture goes back to
about 1200 BC. Between 500 and 250 BC, they were the most powerful people north of the Alps.
They were pagan, with priests known as Druids, but later converted to Christianity. It was Celtic
missionaries who spread the Christian religion through Scotland and northern England.
2.2.2. The Romans
In AD 43, the Romans invaded southern Britain. It became a Roman colony called Britannia. The
Romans set up their capital in London and built major cities in Bath, Chester and York. The cities
contained beautiful buildings, squares and public baths. Fine villas were built for Celtic aristocrats
who accepted Roman rule.
The Roman invasion was not completely peaceful. In AD 60, the Iceni, a tribe led by Queen
Boudicca, destroyed three cities, including London. The Romans stopped the rebellion brutally and
Boudicca killed herself.
The tribes of Scotland never completely surrendered to the Romans. As a result, in AD 122,
Emperor Hadrian built a long wall to defend the border between England and Scotland. Hadrian’s
Wall was overrun several times by Scottish tribes and was finally abandoned in AD 383. By then,
the Roman Empire was collapsing and the Roman legions had left Britain to fight the tribes on the
continent.
2.2.3. The Saxons, Jutes and Angles
From about AD 350 Germanic tribes began invading south-east England The tribes came from
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From about AD 350, Germanic tribes began invading south east England. The tribes came from
what is now northern Germany, Holland and Denmark. The first to come were the Saxons, joined
later by the Jutes and Angles. The Angles gave England its name. Britain had the protection of only
a few Roman legions. The native people could not stop the new enemy, known as the Anglo-
Saxons. The Celts fled north and west taking their ancient arts and languages with them. Celtic
languages have disappeared from most of Europe, but are still spoken in parts of Wales, Ireland and
Scotland. Celtic Christians later returned to England from Scotland and Ireland as missionaries. The
Anglo-Saxons in southern England were converted to Christianity following the arrival of Saint
Augustine of Rome in AD 597. As Christianity spread, churches and monasteries were built all over
England.
2.2.4. The Vikings
About AD 790, the Vikings started to invade England. The Norsemen, who came from Norway,
mainly settled in Scotland and Ireland. The north and east of England were settled by the Danes.
The Vikings were excellent traders and navigators. They traded in silk and furs as far as Russia. In
1016, England became part of the Scandinavian empire under King Cnut. By 1066, England was
again facing invasion from the north and the south. In September, King Harold II marched north to
defeat his half-brother, the king of Norway, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Just three weeks later,
he himself was defeated and killed at Hastings by another invader of Viking origin, William, Duke
of Normandy, from northern France.
2.2.5. The Normans
The Duke of Normandy, known as William the Conqueror, now became King of England,
bli hi A l l d b li d
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establishing a new Anglo-Norman state. England became a strong, centralised country under
military rule. The Normans built castles all over England to control England better. William was a
harsh ruler: he destroyed many villages to make sure the English people did not rebel. Norman
power was absolute, and the language of the new rulers, Norman French, had a lasting effect on
English. Since 1066, England has never been invaded.
(from In Britain - 21 Century Edition, pp.10-11)
Questions: How did each invasion change Britain? You can post your answer in the discussion
area.
2.3. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
2.3.1. The roots of English
English began as a west Germanic language which was brought to England by the Saxons around
400 AD. Old English was the spoken and written language of England between 400 and 1100 AD.
Many words used today come from Old English, including man, woman, king, mother, give and
wash, as do many slang expressions and swear words. But Old English was very different from
modern English and only a few words can be easily recognized. In the 9th and 10th centuries, when
Vikings invaded England, Old Norse words, e.g. sky, take and get and many place names, entered
the language.
From the Norman Conquest (1066) until the late 12th century English was replaced as the official
language by Norman French, though English was still used by the lower classes. English from about
1300 to 1500 is known as Middle English. It was influenced by French and also Latin in vocabulary
and pronunciation. French brought many words connected with government, e.g. sovereign, royal,
court, legal, and government itself. Latin was the language of religion and learning and gave to
English words such as minister, angel, master, school and grammar. Literature began again to be
written in English. One of the most famous Middle English works is Chaucer’s The Canterbury
Tales.
2.3.2. The development of Modern English
Modern English developed from the Middle English dialect of the East Midlands and was
influenced by the English used in London, where a printing press was set up by William Caxton in
1476. English changed a great deal from this time until the end of the 18th century. During the
Renaissance, many words were introduced from Greek and Latin to express new ideas, especially in
science, medicine and philosophy. They included physics, species, architecture, encyclopedia and
hypothesis. In the 16th century several versions of the Bible helped bring written English to
ordinary people. The Elizabethan period is also famous for its drama, and the plays of Marlowe and
Shakespeare were seen by many people.
The development of printing helped establish standards of spelling and grammar, but there
remained a lot of variation. Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), was
the first authoritative treatment of English. It defined about 40 000 words and gave examples of
their use Soon afterwards people tried to establish grammatical rules like the use of me not I after
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their use. Soon afterwards, people tried to establish grammatical rules, like the use of me, not I, after
a preposition, and that different should be followed by from, not to or than. The idea of having an
English academy to protect agreed standards has been suggested several times, including most
recently in the 1990s, but has never found enough support.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries many dictionaries and books about language were
published including, in Britain, the Oxford English Dictionary, which was begun in 1858. In 1926
Fowler’s A Dictionary of Modern English Usage presented a traditional view of grammar but
rejected the more extreme rules, and was held in great respect for a long time. The development of
radio promoted standard English and Received Pronunciation (RP), which became known as BBC
English. Many older British people still consider this to be ‘correct’ English, and complain about
falling standards in schools and the media.
At the end of the 20th century English tends to be much less formal. Few British people know
much about grammar, since it is not usually taught in schools, but a person who cannot speak and
write grammatically is likely to be at a disadvantage. An RP accent is now associated mainly with
the upper classes, and many younger educated people have a modified regional accent.
New words are still being added to English from other languages, including Italian (tiramisu),
Chinese (feng shui) and Japanese (karaoke). Existing words gain new senses, and many slang terms
become part of the standard language. New expressions spread quickly through television and the
Internet.
English is now an international language and is used as a means of communication between people
from many countries. As a result the influences on the English language are wider than ever and it is
possible that World English will move away from using a British or American standard and
establish its own international identity.
(from Oxford Guide to British and American Culture, p.178)
2.4. DID YOU KNOW?
Canute (also Cnut) (c.994-1035)
a king of England (1017-35) who was born in Denmark and was also king of Denmark and Norway.
Boudicca (also Boadicea) (died AD 62)
the queen of the Iceni tribe of eastern Britain when it was part of the Roman Empire. She led the
Iceni against the Romans and destroyed several of their camps. When she was defeated she killed
herself. She is often shown in pictures driving a chariot (= an open carriage pulled by a horse) with
blades attached to the wheels.
Hadrian’s Wall
a wall in northern England built between 122 and 127 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian, from
Wallsend on the River Tyne to Bowness on the Solway Firth. It was the northern border of the
Roman Empire, from which the Romans could keep back the Picts. It was a major achievement, 73
il (120 kil )l d 16 f (4 9 ) hi h i h f ( ili
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miles (120 kilometres) long and 16 feet (4.9 metres) high, with forts (= strong military buildings for
defence) every mile along its length. Long sections of the wall still remain, and thousands of tourists
visit it every year. It was made a World Heritage Site in 1987.
King Arthur Brutus in Hadrian’s Wall
Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1343-1400)
an English poet. He is often called ’the father of English poetry’ because he was the first major poet
to write in English rather than Latin or French. His best-known work is The Canterbury Tales.
Received Pronunciation, often called RP, is the accent that is widely accepted as the standard
accent for both native and foreign speakers of British English.
William Caxton (c.1422-91)
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the man who set up the first printing firm in Britain. He printed his first book in 1474. By printing
books in English, Caxton had a strong influence on the spelling and development of the language.
Many of the books he published were French stories which he translated himself.
2.5. Review:
0:00 / 18:15
2.6. Exercises: Click here to view exercises of Unit 2.
Dea
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